One segment of Paradise Lost that Milton uses a complex set up in to is Sin's harsh insult of Satan in 688-704 in combination with the preceding description of Satan. On lines 632 and 635, Satan is described as taking "solitary flight" but also "vaulting high" and soaring across the expanse, which is twofold in its imagery, saying that Satan, though powerful and convincing, is often completely alone. This is hammered home when Satan encounters Sin, portrayed here as Scylla, a mythical Greek monster, who had apparently been in hell along. Milton introduces Sin as "a goblin full of wrath" giving us a clear picture of her physical presence as well as what we can expect her to say in the following monologue. Unsuprisingly, Sin absolutely tears into Satan and calls him; "The traitor angel who first broke peace in heaven," and also blames him for the downfall of his followers, his third of the angels of heaven. Then on line 701, Sin tells Satan basically to get out of my hell, "Lest I chase you with a whip of scorpions." Forceful words against the being recognized by most as ruler of hell.

Sin, however, makes the statement the she was in Hell first, also claiming to be the sole ruler, implying that Satan is not the ruler of hell, merely an exiled dignitary from another realm. First off, this is logical because Satan began his existence in heaven whereas the force of Sin was obviously in no part an accepted member of heaven. Also, although Satan was the angel who first caused a fall of any sort, what force acted upon him to rebel against God? Sin. Just like Adam and Eve rebelled, but were being acted upon by Satan (and Sin) the chain of responsibility does not necessarily begin and end with the being who commited it. Satan in all his splendor and glory can not match evil with Sin, perhaps adding the final insult to injury, as Satan realizes that even in Hell, he can not rule unopposed.