A brief history of the devil - Brian A. Pavlac

Summary

This video script explores the evolution of the devil figure, from the minor character in the Old Testament to a complex antagonist in literature and art. It traces the development from Satan's initial portrayal as a tempter and tormentor in the New Testament to his diverse forms in medieval and Renaissance art, including Dante's 'Inferno' and Milton's 'Paradise Lost.' The script also touches on the Faustian legend and the modern reinterpretations of the devil as a trickster in popular culture, reflecting the enduring fascination with this figure.

Takeaways

• 😈 Satan, Lucifer, and Mephistopheles are all figures based on the Old Testament's Satan, who was originally a minor character.
• 📜 In the New Testament, Satan's role expands to include tempting Jesus and being depicted as a dragon, influencing medieval art.
• 🎨 Michael Pacher's painting and Dante's 'Inferno' show Satan as a monstrous figure, yet also evoke sympathy.
• 🕊️ The Renaissance period saw a shift in Satan's depiction, with artists portraying him in more human forms, inspired by Pan.
• 📚 John Milton's 'Paradise Lost' presents Satan as a charismatic rebel, influencing later views of him as a complex character.
• 💫 The Romantics of the 1800s viewed Milton's Lucifer as a heroic figure who defied authority in pursuit of truth.
• 📖 The German legend of Doctor Faust explores the consequences of making a deal with the devil for personal gain.
• 👹 Different versions of the Faust legend present Mephistopheles in varying lights, from a willing partner to a deceptive trickster.
• 🔥 The term 'Faustian bargain' has come to represent a deal where one sacrifices moral integrity for short-term benefits.
• 👺 Modern depictions of the devil, including in comic books and film, often portray him as a charming trickster in a red suit.

Q & A

What are the three divergent devils mentioned in the script?

The three divergent devils mentioned are Satan, Lucifer, and Mephistopheles.

How does the Satan of the Old Testament differ from the literary devils based on him?

The Satan of the Old Testament is a relatively minor character with scant information about his deeds or appearance, unlike the more developed literary devils.

What role does Satan play in the New Testament?

In the New Testament, Satan tempts Jesus, uses demons to possess people, and appears as a giant dragon who is cast into hell.

How did medieval artists and writers depict Satan, and what inspired this depiction?

Medieval artists and writers depicted Satan as a scaled, shaggy-furred creature with overgrown toenails, inspired by the image of Satan as a dragon in the New Testament.

In Dante Alighieri’s 'Inferno,' how is Satan described and what emotions does he evoke in the protagonist?

In 'Inferno,' Satan is described as a three-headed, bat-winged behemoth who feasts on sinners. The protagonist feels both disgust and sympathy for the trapped beast.

How did the depiction of the devil change during the Renaissance?

During the Renaissance, the devil started to assume a more human form, often depicted as a man with cloven hooves and curling horns.

What is the significance of John Milton's Lucifer in 'Paradise Lost'?

Milton's Lucifer is significant as he is depicted as a charismatic rebel angel who starts a rebellion against God's power, becoming Satan and preferring to rule in hell than serve in heaven.

How did the Romantics of the 1800s view Milton's Lucifer?

The Romantics viewed Milton's Lucifer as a heroic figure who defied higher power in pursuit of essential truths, despite the tragic consequences.

What is the Faustian bargain, and how does it relate to the German legend of Doctor Faust?

A Faustian bargain refers to a trade that sacrifices integrity for short-term gains, relating to the German legend of Doctor Faust who pledges his soul to the devil for bottomless pleasure.

How does Mephistopheles, the devil's messenger, differ in various adaptations of the Faust legend?

In Christopher Marlowe's account, Mephistopheles is a cynical character happy to strike a deal with Doctor Faustus, while in Johann Wolfgang van Goethe’s version, he tricks Faust into a grisly deal.

How has the devil's image evolved in modern times, as mentioned in the script?

In modern times, the devil's image has evolved to include a charming trickster in red tights and cape, as seen in Goethe’s play, and has influenced depictions in comic books, advertising, and film.

Outlines

00:00

😈 The Evolution of Satanic Depictions

This paragraph explores the various forms of Satan, including the beastly, the fallen angel, and the trickster, all rooted in the Old Testament's Satan. Initially a minor character, Satan's role expanded in the New Testament, where he tempted Jesus and was depicted as a dragon. Medieval artists and writers were particularly inspired by this image, creating monstrous versions of Satan. Dante Alighieri's 'Inferno' further developed this, portraying Satan as a trapped, three-headed beast. The paragraph also touches on the Renaissance's humanization of the devil, influenced by Greek mythology, and John Milton's 'Paradise Lost,' which cast Lucifer as a charismatic rebel. The Romantics of the 1800s viewed Milton's Lucifer as a tragic hero, and the German legend of Doctor Faust introduced the devil's earthly dealings, with Mephistopheles as a trickster figure. The paragraph concludes by noting the ongoing influence of these devilish figures in contemporary culture.

Keywords

💡Satan

Satan is a figure in the Abrahamic religions, often depicted as the embodiment of evil and the adversary of God. In the video script, Satan is portrayed as the beast with the power to torment and is associated with the Old Testament, where he is a minor character who torments Job. The script explores how Satan's character has evolved into the ultimate antagonist with various forms, reflecting the cultural and artistic interpretations over time.

💡Lucifer

Lucifer, derived from Latin meaning 'light-bringer,' is a name often given to Satan in Christian theology, referring to his fall from grace as a once-cherished angel. In the script, Lucifer is described as a fallen angel who rages against the established order, and in John Milton's 'Paradise Lost,' he is depicted as a charismatic rebel who leads a rebellion against God, becoming Satan after being cast out of heaven.

💡Mephistopheles

Mephistopheles is a character from German folklore and literature, known as a cunning and deceptive devil. In the script, Mephistopheles is mentioned as a trickster who strikes deals with humans, as seen in the legend of Doctor Faust. The character is also portrayed in different lights across various adaptations, from a cynical accomplice to a trickster who deceives Faust into a grim deal.

💡Old Testament

The Old Testament is the first part of the Christian Bible, which contains the sacred scriptures of Judaism. In the context of the video, the Old Testament is where the Satan character is first mentioned as a minor character with limited information about his deeds or appearance, setting the stage for later elaborations and interpretations of his role.

💡New Testament

The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible, focusing on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The script notes that in the New Testament, Satan is more active, tempting Jesus and using demons to possess people, which leads to his depiction as a dragon cast into hell, influencing later artistic and literary portrayals.

💡Inferno

Inferno is the first part of Dante Alighieri's epic poem 'The Divine Comedy.' In the script, Dante's Inferno is highlighted for its vivid depiction of Satan as a three-headed, bat-winged monster trapped in ice, evoking both disgust and sympathy. This portrayal invites reflection on the nature of evil and the consequences of sinful actions.

💡Renaissance

The Renaissance was a period of cultural rebirth in Europe, marked by a renewed interest in art, science, and classical learning. The script mentions that during the Renaissance, the devil began to take on a more human form in art, reflecting a shift in how evil was personified and understood.

💡Paradise Lost

'Paradise Lost' is an epic poem by John Milton, which tells the story of the fall of man and the rebellion of Satan. In the script, Milton's work is significant for its portrayal of Lucifer as a complex character with motivations that challenge the divine order, inspiring later Romantic interpretations of Satan as a tragic hero.

💡Romantic

Romanticism was an artistic and literary movement that emphasized emotion, individualism, and the sublime. The script notes that Romantics of the 1800s viewed Milton's Lucifer as a heroic figure who defied authority in pursuit of truth, despite the tragic outcome, thus humanizing and romanticizing the devil's rebellion.

💡Faustian bargain

A Faustian bargain refers to a deal where one sacrifices moral integrity for personal gain, often with disastrous consequences. The script discusses the German legend of Doctor Faust, where Faust makes such a deal with the devil, leading to his downfall. This term is used to describe situations where short-term benefits are traded for long-term moral or spiritual costs.

💡Devil in popular culture

The script concludes by noting that the devil continues to be a compelling figure in popular culture, inspiring various artistic interpretations. This reflects the enduring fascination with the concept of evil and its personification, as well as the devil's adaptability to different cultural contexts and artistic mediums.

Highlights

Satan is depicted as a beast with the power to torment sinners in a subterranean lair.

Lucifer is portrayed as a fallen angel who defies the established divine order.

Mephistopheles is characterized as a trickster who makes deals with unsuspecting humans.

These devilish figures originate from the Old Testament's Satan, an angel who torments Job.

In the Bible, Satan is a minor character with limited information about his actions or appearance.

Satan's role expands in the New Testament, where he tempts Jesus and uses demons.

Medieval artists and writers were inspired by Satan's depiction as a dragon in the New Testament.

In Michael Pacher's painting, the devil is depicted as an upright lizard with a second face on his rear.

Dante Alighieri's 'Inferno' presents Satan as a three-headed, bat-winged creature trapped in ice.

Dante's depiction of Satan evokes both disgust and sympathy, prompting reflection on the consequences of evil.

During the Renaissance, the devil's image began to take on a more human form.

John Milton's 'Paradise Lost' portrays Lucifer as a charismatic rebel against an overbearing God.

Milton's Lucifer becomes an ambiguous figure, inspiring various interpretations of the devil.

The Romantics of the 1800s viewed Lucifer as a tragic hero who defied authority in pursuit of truth.

The German legend of Doctor Faust explores the consequences of making a deal with the devil for earthly pleasures.

Mephistopheles, the devil's messenger in Faust, is portrayed in various lights across different versions of the story.

The term 'Faustian bargain' now refers to sacrificing integrity for short-term gains, inspired by the Faust legend.

In modern times, the devil's image has been adapted in various media, including comic books, advertising, and film.

The devil continues to be a compelling figure in the public imagination, inspiring diverse and fantastical artistic interpretations.

Transcripts

Satan, the beast crunching sinners’ bones in his subterranean lair.

Lucifer, the fallen angel raging against the established order.

Mephistopheles, the trickster striking deals with unsuspecting humans.

These three divergent devils are all based on Satan of the Old Testament,

an angelic member of God’s court who torments Job in the Book of Job.

But unlike any of these literary devils,

the Satan of the Bible was a relatively minor character,

with scant information about his deeds or appearance.

So how did he become the ultimate antagonist, with so many different forms?

In the New Testament, Satan saw a little more action:

tempting Jesus, using demons to possess people,

and finally appearing as a giant dragon who is cast into hell.

This last image particularly inspired medieval artists and writers,

who depicted a scaled, shaggy-furred creature with overgrown toenails.

In Michael Pacher’s painting of St. Augustine and the Devil,

the devil appears as an upright lizard—

with a second miniature face glinting on his rear and.

The epitome of these monster Satans

appeared in Italian poet Dante Alighieri’s “Inferno.”

Encased in the ninth circle of hell,

Dante’s Satan is a three-headed, bat-winged behemoth who feasts on sinners.

But he’s also an object of pity:

powerless as the panicked beating of his wings

only encases him further in ice.

The poem’s protagonist escapes from hell by clambering over Satan’s body,

and feels both disgust and sympathy for the trapped beast—

prompting the reader to consider the pain of doing evil.

By the Renaissance, the devil started to assume a more human form.

Artists painted him as a man with cloven hooves and curling horns

inspired by Pan, the Greek god of the wild.

In his 1667 masterpiece “Paradise Lost,”

English poet John Milton depicted the devil as Lucifer,

an angel who started a rebellion on the grounds that God is too powerful.

Kicked out of heaven, this charismatic rebel becomes Satan,

and declares that he’d rather rule in hell than serve in heaven.

Milton’s take inspired numerous depictions of Lucifer as an ambiguous figure,

rather than a purely evil one.

Milton’s Lucifer later became an iconic character for the Romantics of the 1800s,

who saw him as a hero who defied higher power in pursuit of essential truths,

with tragic consequences.

Meanwhile, in the German legend of Doctor Faust,

which dates to the 16th century,

we get a look at what happens when the devil comes to Earth.

Faust, a dissatisfied scholar,

pledges his soul to the devil in exchange for bottomless pleasure.

With the help of the devil’s messenger Mephistopheles,

Faust quickly seizes women, power, and money—

only to fall into the eternal fires of hell.

Later versions of the story show Mephistopheles in different lights.

In Christopher Marlowe's account,

a cynical Doctor Faustus is happy to strike a deal with Mephistopheles.

In Johann Wolfgang van Goethe’s version,

Mephistopheles tricks Faust into a grisly deal.

Today, a Faustian bargain refers to a trade that sacrifices integrity

for short-term gains.

In stagings of Goethe’s play,

Mephistopheles appeared in red tights and cape.

This version of the devil was often played as a charming trickster—

one that eventually paraded through comic books,

advertising, and film in his red suit.

These three takes on the devil are just the tip of the iceberg:

the devil continues to stalk the public imagination to this day,

tempting artists of all kinds to render him

according to new and fantastical visions.