Paradise Lost Character Analysis - 761 Words

Milton’s Paradise Lost created a controversy among its readers concerning the manner in which Satan’s character is depicted. Typically, in scriptural and mythical texts, Satan is portrayed as an evil and antagonistic figure that always has malicious intents and attempts to sabotage the true hero of the story. Yet in Paradise Lost, Milton’s portrayal of Satan drives the reader to consider the possibility that he may actually be a hero, or at the very least, a character that the reader can understand and relate to. The traditional image of a hero is a figure who is a fundamentally good person confronting challenges and overcoming them successfully. They display confidence and bravery, and are courageous enough to take risks. Conversely, in†¦show more content†¦Here for his envy, will not drive us hence: Here we may reign secure, and in my choice To reign is worth ambition though in Hell: Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heavn. In order to raise the spirits of the angels and encourage them to take retribution, Satan explains that it is better to be free, even in a place as terrible as Hell, than to be Gods servants in Heaven. He explains that they are bound to nobody but themselves. Here, Satan portrays a confident and prideful image and takes on the role of a leader. He carries an air of strong determination and courage, which further adds to his heroic character. He’s standing up for himself and is encouraging his fallen angels to do the same. When he orders his army to rise, they do so very quickly without giving the order a second thought. For an instant they forget the terrible environment that they’re in and that they had been banished from heaven. â€Å"Immediately they begin to assemble in their accustomed ranks. Only a great leader could have such control over his army† (Kuntz 30). Satan successfully influences the fallen angels to oppose their creator, God, and this trait of g overnance adds on to his heroic character. Satan’s physical appearance illustrates Milton’s depiction of him as a fearless leader. When Satan is first shown in the lake of fire, he stood out of his awful and dark environment due to hisShow MoreRelatedParadise Lost Character Analysis1965 Words   |  8 PagesThe Virtues of Marriage and Culpability of Authority In modern-day society, marriage is considered to be a capstone event in people’s lives, the culmination of their romantic endeavors in a lifelong, legally recognized partnership. In Paradise Lost, Milton’s characterization of the first union of human beings—the marriage of Adam and Eve—strips marriage down to its most basic, primal form, and uses Adam and Eve to explore the relationship between obedience and autonomy. 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