So we discussed in class how Moloch represents wrath and wants all out war, and how Belial represents sloth and wants to just sit in hell and do nothing with life... so I found Mammon to be more prideful than anything else, preferring making the best out of hell to living in heaven with the God they all hate. I found this interesting because he seems to reiterate what the Devil earlier says about how it's better to rein in hell then serve in heaven and where he says that one can make a heaven out of hell and a hell out of heaven. Mammon simply reinforces these ideas that the Devil has already expressed to the reader.
On a similar note, I had high expectations for Mammon that were not fulfilled. I thought he would be the one to form a compromise between Moloch and Belial and propose not to engage in full out warfare nor to do nothing, but to go out in search of the humans and use them as indirect targets to wound God. His proposition, though, seemed more to be weak and simply agree with Belial's in saying that they should just stay in hell. Disappointing, Mammon... very disappointing.
At the end of Mammon's comments, it seems that his strategy is the most popular one. Stay tuned for Beelzebub's response to Mammon's proposal, however. He will express feelings that I think you'll like, Holly.
ReplyDeleteI think I read what Mammon had to say a little differently. I agree that Mammon shares many ideas with the devil, but Mammon does not believe every idea from Belial. Mammon is more like the devil in the way that he wants to do something instead of sit back and suffer. Instead of fighting to the death or hoping for a better hell, Mammon says to adapt. He talks about freedom from God's rules, art and skill, gold and diamonds, and torments becoming elements. In other words, hell has all of the resources needed to rise and create a great nation. I almost think of how Puritans left or were pressured to leave England for the right to start a new country based on their beliefs almost mirrors the arch-angels (given some differences in beliefs).
ReplyDelete"...Through labour and endurance." (II. 271) the arch-angels will MAKE hell better not hope it gets better. (no hope)
It was a little strange to read Mammon's point of view because I was also expecting a speech creating a compromise between Belial and Moloch. However, I don't think Mammon is that disappointing, or as much as Beliel. It seems if God were to admire any three, he would choose Mammon for his desire to create something good out of evil.