But God omnisciently knows what will happen. God watches Satan approach Earth and predicts his success in corrupting Man. Finally, in the distance Satan sees Earth. Sin opens the gate for Satan who flies out into Chaos and Night. There, he meets his children, Sin and Death.
He leaves at once, flying to the Gate of Hell. Beelzebub's proposal, which is really Satan's proposal, is adopted, and Satan volunteers to find the new world and new creatures. Finally, Beelzebub, Satan's second in command, proposes that the angels try to get at God through his new creation, Man. Mammon, the materialistic angel, argues that they do the best with what they have. Belial twists Moloch's arguments, proposing that nothing should be done. In the council, Satan asks what the demons think should be the next move against God. The highest ranking of the angels then assemble for a council. Led by Mammon and Mulciber, the fallen angels build their capital and palace, Pandemonium. Satan tells them that all is not lost and tries to inspire his followers. He calls for the other angels to do the same, and they assemble by the lake.
Satan raises himself from the lake and flies to the shore. Satan and the other rebellious angels awake to find themselves in Hell on a lake of fire. The epic begins traditionally in medias res. The prologue to Book I states Milton's purpose: to tell about the fall of man and justify God's ways to man.
Several of the books also begin with a prologue. These arguments were written by Milton and added because early readers had requested some sort of guide to the poem. Each book of Paradise Lost is prefaced with an argument, or summary.
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