Dangers of Debate as a Tool for Audience Manipulation in Paradise Lost

Abstract

The preponderance of debate in literary works of England since the middle ages speaks to its popularity. Milton also wide use of debate in his works as debate or disputations dominate the action between characters in his major poems, Paradise Lost, Samson Agonistes and Paradise Regained. Depending upon its usage, the debate can be an introspective vehicle for self-discovery whereby characters such as Samson gain insight and wisdom through his debate with Manor and Dalila. Debate, however, can also take on a more sinister function as an instrument of evil which is the use of debate as a tool for audience manipulation, particularly in connection with the parliamentary debate in Book 2 of Paradise Lost. In this episode, Milton highlights the potential dangers of debate It means that the superficial appearance of the parliamentary free debate in Hell moves inexorably towards the foregone conclusion of Satan’s evil plan. (Seoul Theological University)