Maya Efrat

Period 2, AP English
November 30, 2016
The Devils Argument
John Miltons Paradise

Lost uses a lot of political rhetoric that is still relevant to modern

society today. As the devils in the story use different rhetorical strategies and arguments while
debating whether to go to war in Heaven or not. The similarities between these devils and
modern politicians and leaders is very prominent in the story, from the way that the devils speak,
the strategies they use, and the traits that they show. One devil that really stood out to me while
reading was Belial, the corrupt yet calm and smooth talker. Timorous and slothful, yet he
pleased the ear (Book 2, Line 116) His actions and rhetoric make him the epitome of a modern
day slimy politician being both smooth talking yet corrupt and I was able to compare him to
modern politician Bill Clinton who shows these traits as well.

Belial is able to make a powerful argument with the devils due to his sugarcoated words
and his good looking appearance. He seems very wise and nice with his reasonable and
persuasive jargon but his heart was hollow and his thoughts were low and he has an ulterior
motive which was to avoid any actions and continue with his acts of sloth. Bill Clinton who is
also a smooth talking, good looking and persuasive person that was able to get a lot of love and
support throughout his presidency despite his immoral actions such as the Monica Lewinsky
incident and lying under oath and facing impeachment. He made the same devils argument as
Belial did when he was aware of many horrible situations going on in the world that could have

been fought or prevented. For example as he was serving as president there was a huge and
disastrous genocide in Rwanda that he was very aware of and if he has spoken up and acted to
help he could have saved approximately 30,000 lives. Despite all of this he is still looked at as a
great man and president by many people because of his persuasive, logical, and calm manner,
just as Belial was looked at as.