I think what this quote is trying to say is that demons are confined to acting a certain way. As the book progresses Crowley and Aziraphale constantly remind each other that they have to act a certain way because they're a demon or an angel. For example, when they stop and pick up the girl, Anathema, Aziraphale automatically starts to fix the bike, and heal the girl. This was because "Aziraphale couldn't resist an opportunity to do good."(92) Its in his nature, and is what is expected of him. Nowhere is he told that he must fix the girl's bike, but rather it is assumed that he will do an act of good because he is n angel. Therefore his free will is limited. On the other hand Crowley is expected t act in evil ways, because after all he is a demon. For example, when Crowley makes the paintball guns into real guns, Aziraphale is shocked, but to Crowley its just something in his nature. It is expected that he will instigate bad behavior. Crowley's reasoning for all of his actions is "Because its my job."(110) He is not told directly to change the guns, it is just expected of him, therefore limiting his free will.
So how does this connect with Paradise Lost? Well, if you recall Satan gets to earth and starts to second guess himself. He sees all of the wonderful things on earth and begins to regret the rebellion. (the beginning of Book 4) But he convinces himself that"which way I fly is Hell, myself am Hell" and "all good to me is lost./Evil, be thou my good" (4.75;109-110) For Satan, the other fallen angels are expecting him to complete his mission. He is now one of them, and their expectation limits his choices and free will. He must conform to the image of himself that he has created. Satan can't just go around in Hell proclaiming revenge, and then not do it because he gets discouraged when he sees earth. For Satan, it is supposed to be in his nature to do bad, and this expectation limits him.
This is simply my take on the subject, feel free to disagree.
Rebecca R.
No comments:
Post a Comment