Milton explains that Adam and Eve's disobedience occurred partly because of a serpent's deception. This serpent is Satan. The poem shifts its focus to Satan and his followers in Hell, where God in Heaven has just cast them after their defeat.
             Satan, stunned, lies in a lake of fire that gives off darkness instead of light. Breaking the awful silence, Satan speaks to his second-in-command, Beelzebub, bemoaning their terrible position. He does not repent of his rebellion against God, suggesting instead that they might gather their forces for another attack. Beelzebub is doubtful. He now believes that God cannot be overpowered. Satan does not contradict Beelzebub's assessment, but he does suggest the possibility of perverting God's good works to evil purposes. The two devils rise up and fly to the dry land next to the flaming lake.
             Once out of the lake, Satan becomes more optimistic. He calls to his legions, the fallen angels who followed Satan in defying God and have so become devils. The fallen angels obey Satan immediately, joining him on land despite their wounds and suffering. Milton lists some of the notable angels whose names have been erased from the books of Heaven. He says that later, in the time of man, many of these devils will be worshipped as gods. Among these fallen angels are Moloch, later known as a god requiring human sacrifices, and Belial, later known as a lewd and lustful god. The fallen angels still wear their war attire and hold banners, shields, and spears in hand. Even in defeat, they are an awesome army to behold.
             Although cast down into Hell, Satan does not repent of his envious, freedom-loving ways. He says that the mind can make its own Hell out of Heaven, or in his case, its own Heaven out of Hell. He also insists that he prefers ruling Hell to serving God in Heaven. Satan addresses his comrades, acknowledging the shame of succumbing to the heavenly forces. He suggests a meeting at which they will discus...