satan in paradise lost

A detailed Summary of satan in paradise lost


In Paradise Lost by Milton, Satan plays both the epic hero and the villain. Since Satan is the only point of view (other than God above) that witnesses all of these early scenes, he must be transformed into the hero for the first few books. However, his villainous ways make their appearance in the latter books.

Milton begins the poem in media res and gives Satan the first scene. This makes him the first empathetic character. The picture of Satan in the first two books characterizes him as an unforgettable and understandable hero. Satan's initial introduction is memorable: he rises off the lake of fire and delivers a "magnificent" speech challenging God. The monologue that initially gains the reader's sympathy with Satan occurs just after he has assembled all his fallen troops. It is here that Satan's feelings for his "associates and copartners" seems most genuine. Before, he seemed like a commanding general, harshly reproaching his followers to "awake, arise, or be forever fallen" and t


By undertaking a journey with specific tests along the way and the way Satan talks, rather than fights, his way through them confirms Satan's role as an epic hero.

hen telling them that his "heart / distends with pride, and hardening in his strength / glories" (1484). His heart seems much softer in the later passage, where he chokes on his words. Satan tells the troops that they can make " a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n (255) and also "Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heav'n" (263). These positive elements, along with his positions as the little guy and point of view character, act together to arouse the reader's sympathies for Satan. Book I and II present Satan as a heroic figure by making him greater than he really is and giving his point of view.

After this, Satan becomes a thief, liar, and fraud. He even lies to himself about his love for humankind and his motives in ruining them: "public reason justū / honor and empire with revenge enlarged...compels me now to do what e

Some common words found in the essay are:
Earth Faced, Milton Satan, II Satan, Hell Heav'n, epic hero, final obstacle, female characters, satan final obstacle, satan final,

Approximate Word count = 671
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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