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Postmodernism

“Him who disobeys”: A Comparative Analysis of Satan and Lucifer
Leonora Soledad Souza e Paula

ABSTRACT:

Within this work, I intend to discuss an interesting dialogue existing between Neil Gaiman's graphic novel Sandman and John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost. Such analysis turns to be relevant since the rereading of John Milton's text occurs through a creative parallel related to the characters Lucifer from Sandman and Satan from Paradise Lost . Lucifer and Satan can be considered agents of actions who question and brake with the rules imposed by the so-called unique and concluded act of creation. Their actions question the very existence of the struggle between Heaven and Hell, suggesting new reflections about the perpetuation the oldest of the conflicts. The two characters take upon themselves critical positions not only in relation to Heaven but also to Hell. Through a process of creative translation or “transluciferation”, both characters are responsible for movements of deviation, which refuse an imposed order and suggest alternatives to the fixed and finished origin. This reading is developed in association with concepts from different authors, like Gilles Deleuze, Felix Guatarri and Haroldo de Campos.

Keywords : creative translation, deviation, rereading.

Lucifer: The abdication

Sandman is well acknowledged for combining different artistic manifestations such as Literature, Drama and Visual Arts. The dialogue with Paradise Lost is indeed one of the most interesting within Sandman series, since it allows an alternative reading of Milton 's text. The most illustrative example of this dialogue occurs in the story “Season of Mists” (1991). Assembled in issues #21 to # 28, “Season of Mists” occupies a very important place within the longer plot. Relevant events, which are fundamental links to the entire story, take place within this storyline; events that were established in past issues and events that will define future acts and decisions; moreover, it is in this series that important characters are introduced. “Season of Mists” is introduced with a prelude chapter where a family meeting reveals a setting of conflicts and rivalry among some of the Endless, resulting in tense discussions whose zenith consists in the announcement of very important decisions that can change the course of very great events.

Thousands of years ago, Sandman, also known as Dream, imperiously banished his human lover Nada to Hell because she rejected his offer to become his queen. His feeling of guilt led him on a potentially deadly journey to Hell in order to free his former lover from the realm of his sworn enemy, Lucifer.

Preparing for battle, Dream approaches the main gate of Hell and discovers that it is already open, and unguarded. He immediately goes to where he last left Nada, only to find out that she is no longer there. Dream then notices that no one else seems to be around, and calls for Lucifer. When the fallen angel appears, and after a brief conversation, he declares that he has quit his job, abdicated his position as ruler of Hell.

Then, they walk together while Lucifer locks up the various gates of Hell, explaining his decision. Dream watches Lucifer free the tortured souls, sending the last residents of Hell away. Once the process is completed, Lucifer has his wings cut off by Dream. But before he himself abandons his realm, the fallen angel leaves Dream the key to the infernal kingdom, freeing himself of his final obligation. Dream then becomes very upset because the key is something completely outside of his normal responsibilities, something he cannot possess. Besides having no desire to keep the key for himself, he must make a decision that may change very important events in an unprecedented manner.

Uncomfortable questions torment him. When he asks his sister, Death, for help, her reply is: “What do you want to do? Open a skiing resort? Turn it into a theme park? Sell it to the highest bidder? It's your choice. You've got the place. What do you want to do with it?” (Gaiman, Jones, Russel, 1991#24:13). Lucifer's threat to destroy Dream is, thus, made concrete.

As result, a number of gods and entities drive to Dream's kingdom, “The Dreaming”, to try to persuade him to grant them the ownership of Hell. Sandman has to be very diplomatic while hosting powerful beings that try to convince him that one of them best deserves to inherit the key. Among them, Odin, Thor and Loki from Aesir; the incarnations of the Lords of Chaos and Order; Remiel and Duma from Silver City , Azazel, representing the demons; Anubis, Bast, and Bes, deities from the Egyptian pantheon, are all in search of the key. Susano-O-No-Mikoto, the god of thunderstorms in Japanese Shinto mythology, and Cluracan and Nuala, emissaries from Faerie, are also some of the entities interested in reclaiming the possession of Hell.

After pondering about the bids and coercive demands, Sandman decides to give the key to Remiel and Duma, the emissaries from Heaven, who then became the new rulers of the infernal realm. Meanwhile, Lucifer rests on an Australian beach, watching the sunset and enjoying his new life on earth, and some time later, sets up his own piano bar Lux, situated in Los Angeles.

It is important to mention that Hell as a domain has been used by comics for some time. DC Comics' representation of Hell shares views with the Jewish and Christian tradition and with Greek mythology, the Norse pantheon, Egyptian entities, among others. The characterization of the place in “Season of Mists” is thus:

Once upon a time, there was a place that wasn't a place. It had many names: Avernus, Gehenna, Tartarus, Hades, Abaddon, Sheol ... It was an inferno of pain and flame and ice, where every nightmare had come true long since...We'll call it Hell. (Gaiman, Jones, Jones III, 1991#22:1)

Within the internal social organization of DC's Hell, the oldest demons are also the most powerful. There is a complex hierarchy of Kings, Queens , Princes, Lords, Archdukes, Dukes and other nobles. Among the most prominent demons are the Rhymers, who speak in rhymes as a sign of their social status. [1]

Through this summary, it can be perceived the profusion of details that compose the story arc. The possible transformation of Hell into an empty place raises many important questions regarding the war with Heaven. Moreover, Lucifer's abdication represents a movement of emancipation. Though, it is important to mention that Sandman 's Lucifer is conceived as the angel who headed the rebellion against the Creator and as a consequence was the first to fall, becoming the first and foremost of the demons, also known as the Morning Star or Light-Bearer. Differently from the biblical text, Sandman's Lucifer is not conceived as an evil being and is not related to sin, suffering and pain; instead, the character is ambivalent, an angelic/demonic being. In the script of chapter 2 of “Season of Mists”, Gaiman remarks:

Bear in mind that Lucifer is not necessarily a bad person; or at least, that people can change, and repent – that leopards sometimes do change their spots, given enough time. He's had a long time to think things over, after all ... and he used to be an angel. (Quoted in Bender, 1999:95)

That is, the transformation from angel of light into demon does not mean a passage from good to evil, but indicates modification. And the character is not directly related to the moral aspects commonly attributed to the corrupted soul. Instead, the fallen angel is aware of possible alternatives and he chooses among them, first rebelling and second abdicating; with both acts, Lucifer achieves changes.

It is relevant to observe that the episode involving Lucifer's abdication resignifies Satan's conduct in John Milton's Paradise Lost . Through a parallel between the actions of Satan and Lucifer, it is possible to explore an alternative reading of the texts.

However, it is important to notice that in Sandman -- following DC Comics -- even after the fall, the angelic name was held, while in Paradise Lost , Lucifer became Satan. In the two texts there occurs the transformation of the “angel of light” into a “demon of darkness,” but the naming of one and another, instead of a mere convention, implies political choices. The name Satan is straightly related to the demon being, implying a pejorative reading of the character; while Lucifer holds the references to the angelic past.

In spite of their differences, it is possible to say that Paradise Lost 's Satan and Sandman 's Lucifer are transgressors not only in Heaven but also in Hell. They are characters who do not conform themselves to the Creator's will upon what they are meant to be and to do. They confront the idea of being rulers of a simple mirror image of Heaven. Both are conscious of themselves as changeable and creative beings who are free to move according to their own plans, which are to empty out Hell, in the case of Lucifer, and to appropriate God's creation, in Satan's case.

Note:

[1]  For further information, see: Unofficial Guide to DC Universe, 2004.
http://www.comicboards.com/dcguide/index.htm