Paradise Lost: The Debate in Hell.books 1-2 The debate starts with Satan speaking and flattering the Devils and saying "Powers and dominions". He talks about how someone will have to take charge and lead the group to victory, and to do this they will need someone who can take pain, stress and strife. He addresses the idea of getting back into Heaven, and the ways to do this, whether they should attack and have a war or they should be devious and regain the kingdom that way. Satan also defends himself against revolt and convinces them that they will win. He did exactly the same last time and they lost, but he still thinks he can convince them.
Moloch speaks second, the "strongest and the fiercest spirit that fought in Heaven ; now fiercer by despair". He tells the devils that they should have open war, for he is a person possessed with the lust for violence and someone who just wants revenge on God.
Gustave Doré, Depiction of Satan, the antagonist ...
English: Satan as Antichrist
English: Illustration of "Paradise Lost" by John M...As his speech goes on he get more worked up and irate. He whips up emotion by talking of the pain they are suffering and although he knows there will be no victory - they cannot beat God - they will at least have had some revenge. Moloch is seen as a towering pillar of strength but only by despair. Moloch is seen as an extremist. "which if not victory is yet revenge." The next person to speak is Belial, a fair person but all that he says comes to nothing, the speech is "false and hollow", it sounds impressive but means nothing.
Mammon gets up next to present his speech. Mammon is against war because he knows that war against God is impossible, "let us not then pursue by force impossible." He knows that...