Bring out the Leadership Qualities in Satan as Revealed in "Paradise Lost, Book-II".

Satan is presented by John Milton, a versatile ambitious literary monarch, in Book -II of Paradise Lost, possesses the inherent qualities of leadership with his heroic fortitude, kingdom and undaunted courage. His heroic qualities as displayed in Book-I and Book-II have been admired by a number of critics

Leadership Qualities in Satan:

Book-II opens with Satan sitting on his throne and presiding over the council of debate a position which he has attained by bad eminence. His monarchical grandeur is vividly described by Milton and Satan, sitting on his throne, opens the debate which is to take peace among the fallen angels about their future course of action.

Like a leader Satan reminds them that they are immortal being even through they have fallen, they need not despair because Hell cannot totally destroy their heavenly essence. They are celestial powers and they will look more glorious and more dreadful in their present position. Satan becomes leader by virtue of his own merit and his followers' free choice. In counsel or in fight he played the same role and never feared danger. Satan's argument may be misleading but he speaks with confidence like a true leader who can guide his followers. Satan is very intelligent and he thinks that in Hell they can remain united and therefore, they have grater chances of success in Hell. Satan urges them to continue their war against the ruler of Heaven. The only question to be decided is whether it should be an 'open war or covert guile'. Like a cleaver politician Satan invites his followers to discuss this vital issue and advise him.

Satan displays his wisdom and shrewdness although he is a fallen angel. He shows his qualities of leadership at a moment of crisis in relation to their loss of heaven. Beelzebub at length on the dangers and hazards of risky voyage to re-enter heaven and do harm to God's new creation and then to put the question as to who would undertake the perilous journey through the Hell. Satan asserts his leadership by offering himself to undertake the hazardous journey all alone and risk his own safety for the general good. He was their leader and since he enjoyed the highest honour, Satan thinks that he must be prepared to undertake the great risk to re-enter Heaven. He decides to go through the voyage alone and very cleverly dissolves the assembly so that nobody would be willing to go with him and in way Satan retains his popularity among the fallen angels. His

in the "Great consult' is an outstanding example of his heroic leadership. His voyage is no doubt dangerous but he remains from in his decision.

His encounter with Sin and Death and his right through Chaos re the marked features of his heroic qualities. Hell trembled as he strode and Satan's reply to Beelzebub is inspiring Satan's final mission is to do harm and God is against him, but he does not easily given in.

Satan's as presented in Book-II has some admirable qualities of leadership for which he is hailed by his followers. He justifies his mission of vengeance on man on the ground of general safety and public reason just. He tries to defend his comrades and their liberty like a leader. Satan is indeed a dominant figure in the first two books and his personality is invested with heroic dimensions, although he gradually loses the heroic propositions through his wicked design.