Paradise Lost Analysis

The classical description of a hero does not make it easy for readers to compare Satan’s character in Paradise Lost to a heroic figure. The definition of a hero is usually a man, who is essentially good, and faces difficult challenges and successfully overcomes difficulties. Of course, Satan’s true motives also make him less heroic, but in Milton’s poem the definition of a hero is challenged by Satan’s and by God’s character as well. In Susan Henthorne’s article on Paradise Lost she states, “The characteristics of God and Satan are problematic,” in that “God can seem as tyrannical and cruel...” and “Satan with his fallen nature, is easier to understand” (Enthrone). The traditional definition of a hero contradicts God’s characteristics in that they appear anti-heroic. Milton’s God is portrayed as a powerful ruler who bestows his blessings to those who follow him and eternal damnation to those who do not. When Satan questions God’s will Satan is thrown out of heaven and this act shows that God is capable vengeful anger. God’s unfriendly, distance, and wrathful characteristics makes Satan’s character even more appealing, seen as a heroic figure, and readers

In addition, here, as throughout much the poem, Satan continues to hedge the other side of the argument, insisting that he isn't forced to do evil by opposing God, but that "to do ill our sole delight" (160). This belief that he has a choice in the matter is tied up in the misconception that he was, and continues to be, equal to God, as "reason hath equall'd" (248) them.  Quite to the contrary, Milton makes it clear that "the will And high permission of all-ruling Heaven Left him at large to his own dark designs" (211-3).  And it is only Satan's perverted sense of reason that convinces him that "The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n" (254-5).  He believes that his reason and contemplation will help him discover "How overcome this dire Calamity" (189), or failing that, change his will such that it fits his current circumstance.  This is the classic method of the delusional and disenfranchised, holding out hope for change, but at the same time putting forth the belief that the current situation can actually be beneficial.  The sophistry has shown through Satan's speech, as he declares that there is no way for God to beat him, in his mind, when we know he is already defeated.

However, craving independence from God ferociously backfires on Satan when he finds out that even after leaving hell, he cannot escape it, “which way [he] [flies] is Hell, [he] [himself] is Hell,” (IV, 75). Satan finds his way to revolt against and separate from God to overrule Heaven and become king, instead however, he takes on the role of the representation of all evil which is evidently seen in his interactions with Eve.

The great debate whether Satan is the hero of Milton’s Epic Poem, Paradise Lost, has been speculated for hundreds of years. Milton, a writer devoted to theology and the appraisal of God, may not have intended for his portrayal of Satan to be marked as heroic. Yet, this argument is valid and shares just how remarkable the study of literature can be. Milton wrote his tale of the fall of man in the 1674. His masterpiece is an example of how ideas of a society change with time. This is because it wasn’t until the 1800’s during the Romantic era, that people no longer saw the hero of literary works as perfect in every way. It started to become more popular to develop the flawed character similar to the ones written in the classics. A literary

In book I of “Paradise Lost” the speaker characterized Satan as a leader based on his ability to lead the falling angels. By “Paradise Lost” being a Christian poem some may wonder why Satan is considered a powerful leader. I believe Milton portrays Satan as a heroic figure in order to show God’s ultimate power.

“O Hell!” Satan’s opening exclamation of frustration immediately alerts readers to Satan’s state of mind. As Satan gazes on Adam and Eve, he is struck by their blissful state, which sends him into a spiral of confusion as he slightly reconsiders his plan to destroy them. To himself, Satan addresses the pair; he begins regretful and with pity for Adam and Eve. He later shifts in tone to vengeful, envious, and angry. Further exemplifying Satan’s contrasting attitudes, Milton uses antonymous words of emotion throughout the passage. By the end of passage, Milton solidifies Satan’s hardening of heart and ends the struggle that has been festering inside Satan since his first act of rebellion against God. Milton successfully uses both the shift in tone and the emotional diction to reveal Satan’s stormy internal conflict.

Overall I think in the poem “Paradise Lost” Satan’s character was meant to be more attractive to the readers so they would also be seduced by his ways. His character was meant to be more liked then he usually is in things such as the Bible. He was not necessarily meant to be looked at as the hero, but he was described in such a way that it tempted the readers to like him. Just like Satan lured people in and made them do the wrong things Milton lured in his readers to like Satan. He did such a great job that I felt sorry for Satan. But he also made us see everything from Satan view. Which basically

SATAN: THE HERO OF PARADISE LOST Satan is the enemy of God, to whom God earlier loved. He is considered villain for his rebellion against the Almighty and his actions towards humanity but in the eyes of his companions—Beelzebub and other fallen angels, he was like an idol whom they worshipped, obeyed and respected, whom they projected as their supreme commander and most importantly they considered him their hero. Satan waged a war against God because he opposed the tyranny of God. He opposed and revolted against God not only for his own benefit but for the benefits and rights for the other angels.

Paradise Lost opens up with Satan calling upon the muses to help him write this poem. Satan goes on to explain how he thought he was equal to God, causing the war to begin. The Devil loses and is cast into the depths of hell. It is here that he explains that his hate for God will never go away. This Poem brings a new approach to how Satan is displayed to the world. It is one of the first accounts to display Satan as the victim of his encounter with God. This work is a great example of literature from the restoration period. First, the whole story is written as one long poem. Milton employs the use of blank verse in order to avoid the rhyming displayed in many poems. This style of writing was born out of the reformation in order to better present stories in poetic form. Secondly, the poem aims to target religion. In the line, “That Shepard, who first taught the chosen Seed,” Satan refrences Moses and the Israelites. He also mentions Adam and Eve and elements from Greek mythology, such as the muses. His goal is to display Satan as a prideful and courageous angel who was on the wrong side of God’s wrath. Milton’s Paradise Lost is a great example of poetry from the Restoration

“Satan is a portrait of rebellion gone wrong, but not of the wrongs of rebellion” (Bryson). Cromwell later diminished, and Charles II was bestowed to King of England, while Satan is still trying to destroy all of God’s creations, and diminish their good moral, and qualities.

Paradise Lost was written by John Milton in the 17th century, and through the course of time it has stayed an important fixture in Western Literature. It tells the story of how one of God’s angels (known as Satan) fell from grace, and how he plotted to turn God’s creation of man to sin. While going through the text Milton portrays Satan as the antagonist, and God and his Son as protagonists, and while Milton portrays this idea pretty clearly it has stemmed a topic of scholarly debate. This debate is can Satan be viewed as a heroic figure? And to push the idea further, what are the ways in which Satan can be described as an epic hero? While this is a question that has been tossed around for years it has remained

          The carefully placed line breaks in the phrase "Behold, instead / Of us outcast, exiled, his new delight, / Mankind created," (4.105-7) suggest that not only does mankind please God, but the fall of Satan and his followers also pleases Him. Also, it is natural for Satan to turn his eyes to Adam and Eve. Satan believes this to be a devious plot devised by him, but in fact it is what God has in mind, as the fall was necessary in order to have Jesus descend later to offer mankind salvation. Satan's conclusion that evil will be his good (4.110) also is in God's plan, and is not a result of Satan's choosing; it is the only course of action he is presented that suits his personality.

However, modern critics have begun to criticise the conclusions of the Romantics, claiming that the notion of Satan as a reflection of a classical hero can only be accepted when studying the first two books of Milton's poem. During the course of the poem the 'superhuman, godlike' image of Satan deteriorates. John Peter, in his study of Satan, quotes C. S. Lewis, who claims that Satan's character moves from “hero to general, from general to politician, from politician to secret service agent, and thence to a thing that peers in at bedroom and bathroom windows, and thence to a toad, and finally a snake”6. C. S. Lewis's detailing of Satan's various images gives a

Paradise Lost, a book by John Milton describes the fall of angels, defeat of Satan and the story of Adam and Eve. It portrays the power craving Satan and how his rebellion and negligence and disobedience to God, not only lead to his fall and defeat but also the fall of humans and the reason behind Eve eating the apple, and exiting paradise. In Paradise Lost, Satan displays many qualities throughout the book; however, the outstanding quality that accounted for his defeat was his excessive arrogance.

John Milton’s Paradise Lost is a poem that is unlike many of the poems written in the 15th century. It is told through a perspective of a creation, one in which most religious people are taught to blame due to his supposed sinister aura and therefore cast a shadow upon; Satan. Because the poem tells the story of Satan waging war against God; many are opposed to it as they believe that Satan should not be given a chance to speak because of his rebellious tendencies. It also touches upon the reason that God has allowed for evil to exist and to whom is to be blamed for evil to transpire, causing his influence to be prodigious as he attempts to answer the questions throughout his poem. This makes this poem extraordinary as he answers the question of theodicy from a distinct perspective that many in his era never dared to raise through stylistic techniques and thus should be honored just as Samuel Barrow would like it to be.