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Daniel Defoe, The history of the Devil: as well ancient as modern, in two parts. (London [England]: T. Warner, 1727).

Abstract

"Daniel Defoe’s The History of the Devil (1726) is a wide-ranging and highly original work of theological, historical, and satirical reflection. Blending learned speculation with narrative ingenuity, Defoe constructs a biography of Satan, tracing his existence from the primordial fall through biblical history, early Christianity, the Middle Ages, and into the modern world. Presented in two parts, the treatise functions both as a theological meditation and as a commentary on contemporary religious and political culture.

Defoe portrays the Devil as a dynamic historical actor, whose influence is visible in both sacred and secular affairs. He surveys Satan’s supposed role in pagan religions, heresies, witchcraft, and political upheavals, while also emphasizing the continuing reality of diabolic temptation in everyday life. Yet, in keeping with Enlightenment sensibilities, Defoe frequently tempers traditional demonological tropes with irony and rational critique, exposing the superstition and credulity that had often accompanied belief in the Devil.

Thematically, the work oscillates between orthodoxy and skepticism. On the one hand, Defoe affirms the existence and agency of Satan within a providential framework. On the other, he questions exaggerated claims about witchcraft, possessions, and spectral activity, situating them in a critical historical perspective. This ambivalence allows Defoe to appeal both to devout readers and to a growing audience of rationalists.

Stylistically, the text blends the sermonic with the journalistic, employing moral exhortation, anecdotal narration, and satirical commentary. It reflects Defoe’s broader literary concerns with the intersection of history, fiction, and moral instruction.

Ultimately, The History of the Devil is not a systematic demonology but a cultural history of evil, framed through the figure of Satan. It exemplifies early eighteenth‑century attempts to reconcile Reformed theology, Enlightenment rationalism, and popular fascination with the supernatural. Its enduring significance lies in its dual role as both a Puritan-inflected spiritual treatise and a proto‑Enlightenment critique of superstition."--ChatGPT

Table of contents

External links

• [ Google Books]