John Milton Paradise Lost Analysis
analytical Essay
1587 words
Throughout time, John Milton's Paradise Lost has been studied by many people and comprehended in many different fashions, developing all kinds of new interpretations of the great epic. There have been many different interpretations of this great epic. Milton's purpose in writing the epic was to explain the biblical story of Adam and Eve. Although the epic is similar to the Bible story in many ways, Milton's character structure differs from that of the Bible's version. All through out the epic Milton describes the characters in the way he believes they are. In book II of Paradise Lost, Milton portrays Satan as a rebel who exhibits certain heroic qualities, but who turns out not to be a hero.
Milton's introduction of Satan shows the reader
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In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how milton's paradise lost has been studied by many people and comprehended in many different fashions.
- Analyzes how milton uses the whole rebellion scene, when put together with the battle in heaven, to show heroic qualities in satan.
- Analyzes how milton shows how skilled satan is in his choice of words and why the others look up to him as their leader.
- Analyzes how milton shows the reader this side of satan to make them think before assuming that satan is the hero of the epic.
- Analyzes how milton's portrayal of satan as a rebellious hero deteriorates as the epic continues.
"In the forefront of the battle, where we expect him, is Milton's Satan, the great rebel of Paradise Lost" (Hamilton 7). Hamilton also introduces the idea of an underdog, describing Satan as a person fighting against an inferior power, with extreme odds against a victory for his side (14). In the scenes around the battle in heaven, Milton shows how Satan is viewed as a leader by the other fallen angels.
There are other speeches of war in the epic that arouse the reader. One of the most significant is after Satan has made a meeting in the new Capitol of Hell, Pandemonium. "To have built Heaven high towers; Nor did he scape \ By all his engines but was headlong sent \ With industrious crew to build in Hell" (Milton 55). Following the rapid building, all the fallen angels gather for their meeting asking shall it be war or peace. "Their rising all at one was as the sound \ Of thunder heard remote. Towards him they bend \ With awful reverence prone, and as a god" (Milton 79). When his followers cheer Satan on, the reader notices how much he likes the attention. This is another sign of how Milton shows the significant role that Satan's pride plays in his decisions. In many different encounters Satan lets his pride interfere with his actions. In doing this, Satan begins to worry only about himself and the opinions his followers hold of him. Satan continues with the speech saying, "Should we again provoke \ Our Stronger, some worse way his wrath may find \ To our destruction" (Milton
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- Paradise Lost Analysisanalytical essayThere have been many different interpretations of John Milton's epic, Paradise Lost. Milton's purpose in writing the epic was to explain the biblical story of Adam and Eve. Although the epic is similar to the Bible story in many ways, Milton's character structure differs from that of the Bible's version. Through-out the epic Milton describes the characters in the way he believes they are. In book II of Paradise Lost, Milton portrays Satan as a rebel who exhibits certain heroic qualities, but who turns out not to be a hero.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how milton's epic, paradise lost, portrays satan as a rebel who exhibits heroic qualities and corrupts to show the thin line between good and evil.
- Analyzes how milton shows how skilled satan is in his choice of words, and why the others look up to him as their leader.
- Analyzes how milton shows the reader this side of satan to make them think before assuming that satan is the hero of the epic.
- Analyzes how milton's portrayal of satan as a rebellious hero deteriorates as the epic continues.
1240 wordsRead More - A paradise from hellanalytical essaySatan’s spiteful actions, attitude, and appearance are exposed in John Milton’s Paradise Lost and other texts. Satan is a mesmerizing but revengeful figure who utilizes doubt to break the relationship established between man and God.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how satan is a mesmerizing but revengeful figure who utilizes doubt to break the relationship established between man and god.
- Analyzes how satan aims to rule without the intrusion of god and humans. when neglected from praise, he is consumed in envy and ambition for supremacy.
- Narrates how earth felt the wound, and nature from her seat gave sign of woe,/ that all was lost.
- Analyzes how the serpent tempted eve to sin by convincing her that disobeying god would favor her, although it is otherwise.
- Analyzes how satan is deceitful. he knows that defiance will be the ultimate betrayal for god because the path established by the lord has been abandoned through sin.
- Analyzes how satan attempts to break the spiritual relationship between man and god by implanting the seed of doubt in the human mind. the serpent reverses the motives of god and uses them in his favor.
- Explains why it was forbidding to awe, keep ye low and ignorant, his worshipers; he knows that in the day, they will be as gods, knowing both good and evil as they know.
- Analyzes how satan sways eve into thinking that god objects to her knowledge of good and bad. satan sends his demons, screwtape and wormwood, to taint the concept of religion.
- Analyzes how satan accomplishes his purpose through his appearance. in paradise lost he is said to be a mesmerizing snake that will tempt and seduce eve.
- Analyzes how satan disguises himself as an innocent and beautiful angel that is harmless. his beauty is like a spell that will carry out the act of sin.
- Analyzes how satan is tormented by spite and revenge, driven by the destruction of humankind and faith. his character in scripture is manipulative and disguising while his actions in the screwtape letters are organized and shrewd
837 wordsRead More - Paradise Lostanalytical essayParadise Lost Milton writes Paradise Lost in the tradition of a classic epic poem. All epic poems contain some common features. Milton follows this outline with great precision and style. His poem uses the guidelines of an epic poem and elaborates upon them to make his poem one of the most popular epics written. In his poem, Milton uses the key points of an epic poem when he traditionally invokes a muse to speak through him, includes great deeds of valor, long speeches, and a list of the protagonists Milton follows the tradition of epic poetry when he asks a muse to speak through him.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how milton writes paradise lost in the tradition of a classic epic poem. milton follows this outline with great precision and style.
- Analyzes how milton follows the tradition of epic poetry when he asks a muse to speak through him.
- Analyzes how milton wants his readers to face the problem of satan appearing invincible. satan is an eloquent, bold being that possesses superhuman strength, extraordinary martial prowess, and fortitude.
- Analyzes how milton dedicates the first book to a catalogue of the fallen angels and provides extended formal speeches by the main characters.
- Analyzes how milton uses a general outline to categorize his poem as an epic poem, including the relationship between the muse and him. milton builds his epic out of views of the past.
440 wordsRead More - John Miltonanalytical essayThus, when the character of Satan is traced through its evolution of Paradise Lost, the reason behind the order of development can be seen. Milton’s desire to create a strong hatred of Satan is achieved best by highlighting Satan’s good points first. Then, when Satan’s real character begins to emerge, the reader is appalled at the actions of their “hero”, causing them to dislike him more than had he originally been a bad character. The reader’s distaste for Satan is strengthened by Satan’s shift in motives. The conquering of humans, which he originally presented as a rebellion against God and his authoritative rule, later came to be about pure corruption and hate. It’s therefore possible to say that if Satan had never given up on his original reasoning, he would still be the hero of Paradise Lost.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how milton's portrayal of satan is different from the devil-on-your-shoulder image people are used to seeing.
- Analyzes how satan, in paradise lost, establishes himself as a defender of freedom, which is attractive to readers.
- Opines that th’ almighty hath not built 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.
- Analyzes how satan's independent attitude elevates him to hero status, willing to defend what he believes in, even if it means suffering. milton uses this perception to highlight satan’s destructive attitude.
- Analyzes how as the character of satan progresses, the reader becomes less willing to accept satan’s goal of freedom of choice. in book iv satan is found reflecting on his actions and wonders if he made the right decision in rebelling against god.
- Opines that heav'n's matchless king deserved no return from him, who created what he was. pride and worse ambition threw him down.
- Analyzes how satan sees that his actions against god were not fully justified, recalling how glorious things were, and owing service to god for creating him.
- Analyzes how satan's inner battle leads the reader to become suspicious about his description of himself in earlier books, and their own interpretation of his earlier words.
- Analyzes how satan's destructive side is revealed in book ix, which corrects any leaning to the view that satan is a hero. he describes the hatred behind his plan, stealing any credibility he may have built up in readers.
- Opines that the more they see pleasures bout them, so much more i feel torment within them; all good to them becomes bane, and in heav'n much worse would be my state.
- Analyzes how satan's words, which may have allowed readers to view him as a hero, disappear in this speech. his goal of freedom of choice is lost in his hate.
- Analyzes how milton's desire to create a strong hatred of satan is achieved best by highlighting satan’s good points first. the reader is appalled at the actions of their “hero”.
1139 wordsRead More - Satan In Paradise Lostanalytical essayHero can be distinct as an individual who is accepted or idealized for bravery, exceptional accomplishment, or dignified traits. On the other hand, Satan is known as the leader of all wickedness. With these descriptions in mind, one can determine that John Milton’s character, Satan, in Paradise Lost, is in fact the epic’s hero. Although non-traditional, one can determine that Satan is the epic hero because of textual evidence found in all twelve books of Paradise Lost. The implications implied throughout the twelve books of Paradise Lost entail Satan as the hero because of the information Milton provides to the reader about Satan’s actions and results thereof.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that john milton's character, satan, in paradise lost, is the epic hero because of textual evidence found in all twelve books of the novel.
- Concludes that milton provides his main character as a relative, relatable man as opposed to all other characters in paradise lost. satan's disposition and behaviorism are all very human.
- Analyzes how milton's first book, paradise lost, portrays satan as a confused, resentful man who feels the need to rebel against god.
- Analyzes the second act of rebellion committed by satan in the form of a serpent as he lures eve into digesting the fruit from the forbidden tree.
- Analyzes how the reader recognizes the account of satan through a lens that is rarely used. satan was the first and one of the only men to ever be bold enough to question the most almighty figure in our world.
858 wordsRead More - Distinguishing Between Bad and Evilanalytical essayIn Paradise Lost Milton creates Satan’s character with intricate conflicting dualities, ultimately creating him as both good and bad. Milton’s careful and complex development of Satan’s character both establishes and revokes the idea of Satan being good and bad. He uses this tension between Satan’s appealing attributes and bad qualities allowing the reader to be able to relate to Satan on some level. He is also using this tension to tempt the reader to give into Satan’s alluring speeches and challenging them to resist it. Satan is a great speaker; he knows exactly what everyone wants to hear. His speeches are so convincing that even the reader is tempted to fall into the notion that they are all just innocent victims: “Me though just right, and the fixed laws of heaven Did first create your leader, next free choice, with what besides, in counsel or in fight, Hath been achieved of merit, yet this loss” (ln 18-21) Even though Satan’s speeches are intriguing and sound wonderful they are embedded...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how milton's works paradise lost, parade regained and a masque presented at ludlow castle all have antagonists that are milton’s representations of evil.
- Analyzes how milton creates satan's character with intricate conflicting dualities, ultimately creating him as both good and bad.
- Analyzes how milton has reconstructed satan in such a malicious manner that there leaves no room for question whether satan is bad or evil. his speeches are no longer alluring and infectious instead they reek with toxic flow.
- Analyzes how the speaker's speeches are so convincing that even the reader is tempted to fall into the notion that he only wishes to help the young girl even though they know his true intentions.
- Analyzes how milton constructs satan to teach the reader that they should be disgusted with the envy and familiarity they had for satan in paradise lost.
- Analyzes how milton uses the power of speech to teach his readers that one should not be fooled by charm, wit, and take notice to manipulation.
1000 wordsRead More - Satan: The Adversaryanalytical essaySatan’s aspired manner of conduct, his absurd attempts to battle God, and his misleading craftiness construct his intriguing and vital character in John Milton’s Paradise Lost. As illustrated in Paradise Lost, The Screwtape Letters, and Scripture, Satan is a vicious baleful demon who uses deceitful strategies for his own ambitious gain. Satan’s power of manipulation, form shifting, and his own free will, led to his fall as the ruler of hell.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how satan's role and appearance in paradise lost is conveyed through his envious behavior, his foolish attempts to battle god, and his cunning deceptions.
- Analyzes how satan, once the bearer of light, fell from heaven due to his disdainful envious behavior. his ambitions and desire to gain the highest of authority and power reveals he is motivated by his narcissistic ego.
- Analyzes how satan's deceiving personality enables him to strategically attack god and the heavens through deception and lies.
- Analyzes how satan's aspired manner of conduct, his absurd attempts to battle god, and his misleading craftiness construct his intriguing and vital character in john milton’s paradise lost.
- Analyzes how satan's overly prideful ego led him to believe he had the ability to battle and defeat god. his rebellion against the almighty was ludicrous and absurd, but his free will created the motivation to oppose god and defiance.
831 wordsRead More - Satan, the Core of Milton´s Paradise Lostanalytical essayThe 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 criterion that is based on a protagonist, who undergoes conflict on the outside and from within and is prevented by a specific flaw to accomplish their main goal, creates an epic Hero. In Paradise Lost, God does not face conflict because he is perfect and all-knowing, and Adam’s conflict is not presented from the very start, Satan’s is. Because Satan is the main character of the work and possesses qualities that would deem him heroic, such as his determination against tough odds, his ability to lead, and his human-like nature to error, he can be seen has the Hero of the famous poem.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how milton's tale of the fall of man is an example of how ideas of a society change with time.
- Analyzes how satan's unwavering passion to defeat his all-mighty creator makes him the underdog that an audience cannot help but root for.
- Opines that satan's role in paradise lost makes the reader fear him rather than see him in the traditional religious way we are expected to see. god is the distant and powerful force that will reward those who follow his command.
- Analyzes how satan's heroic character provokes readers to think of a hero. he is benevolent and asks for volunteers to help implement the strategy.
- Analyzes how satan's self pride led to his jealousy of the son of god and his deceptive plots.
- Analyzes how satan's human-like struggles keep him a hero through the eyes of readers because they can relate.
- Analyzes how milton's readers see how highly satan sees himself and his army. he thinks of them as almost untouchable.
- Concludes that satan does fit the description of an epic hero. his actions do not have to be moral, in order to see him as a character that shows immense strife, great power and apparent flaws.
1302 wordsRead More - John Milton's Paradise Lostanalytical essayJohn Milton's Paradise Lost John Milton’s Paradise Lost is filled with fantastical tales from the depths of Hell, extravagant descriptions of the fallen angels, and a curious recitation of the council of demons in their new palace. How did Milton dream up such vivid depictions of such horrible demons as the ones we see in Book I? Most of his fallen angels originate in the form of Pagan gods condemned by the Bible, with actual historical backgrounds which Milton cites in his lengthy descriptions. Firstly, a few words about Satan would seem prudent, as he is the first of the fallen angels, the leader in the revolt, and the first to venture to earth to corrupt mankind. He is Milton’s main character, and the only one to extend outside of strict biblical interpretations of his character.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how milton's paradise lost is filled with fantastical tales from the depths of hell, extravagant descriptions of the fallen angels, and a curious recitation
- Explains that satan is milton's main character, and the only one to extend outside of strict biblical interpretations of his character.
- Explains that moloch was the first to ascend from the lake after beelzebub and satan.
- Analyzes how solomon's "wisest heart" refers to his son by an ammonite wife, rehoboam, under which israel was split into a northern and southern kingdom.
- Explains that chemos was involved in the straying of the israelites on their exodus from egypt and their worship of false gods, which enraged god.
- Analyzes how osiris, the god of the underworld, and isis, his wife, brought him back from the dead twice to make a child and seek revenge on his brother, set.
- Analyzes how mammon epitomizes greed at its finest. he taught man and demon alike to mine for riches and rifl'd the bowels of thir mother earth for treasures better hid.
- Analyzes milton's epic of light and darkness, good and evil, heave, hell, and everything in between. expounding upon popular beliefs of satan and his rogue angels, the poem preaches that you strictly obey god.
- Analyzes how milton's knowledge of the bible is proved beyond the context of a battle in heaven with the creation of other angels, all of whom have origins adorned with gay religions full of pomp and gold.
- Analyzes how chemos and the syrian gods baalim and ashtaroth exercise their angelic right to change their shape, even into bestial forms.
- Explains that belial was the last of the chief demons to emerge, unworshipped except in actions across the lands. biblical influence includes "the streets of sodom, and that night in gibeah."
3096 wordsRead More - Heroic in Paradise Lost by John Lostanalytical essaySteadman, John M., 'The Idea of Satan as the Hero of “Paradise Lost”', Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, Vol. 120, No. 4 (1976), 253-294
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the theme of the 'heroic' in john milton's paradise lost is one that has often been the focus of critical debate.
- Analyzes how milton's poem portrays satan as a 'tragic-hero', with an iron fast will, who will overcome his challenges in order to gain victory.
- Argues that modern critics have begun to criticise the conclusions of the romantics, claiming that the notion of satan as a reflection of classical hero can only be accepted when studying the first two books of milton's poem.
- Analyzes how steadman suggests that milton's satan is a type of 'pseudo-hero', one who wears heroic masks, shifting from one heroic formula to another as expediency dictates.
- Analyzes how modern critics have suggested that adam is the true hero of milton's paradise lost.
- Argues that the son of god is a combination of qualities from both the classical and christian models of the heroic in paradise lost.
- Analyzes how peter weston argues that the fall of man is in fact "more heroic than the conventional heroism of epic and romance."
- Concludes that the role of the heroic in milton's paradise lost will always be a point of great dispute among critics.
- Analyzes forsyth, neil, "paradise lost" and the origin of "evil": classical or judeo-chrsitain?
- States that herman, william r., 'heroism and paradise lost', college english, vol. 21, no. 1 (1959), 13-17.
- States that milton, john, 'paradise lost', in gordon campell's complete english poems, of education, areopagitica, (orion publishing, london, 1998).
- Analyzes steadman, john m., 'the idea of satan as the hero of "paradise lost"', proceedings of the american philosophical society, vol.
- States steadman, john m., milton's epic characters: image and idol, university of north carolina press, 1968.
- Analyzes thompson, elbert n. s., 'the theme of paradise lost', pmla, vol. 28, no. 1 (1913), 106-120.
1640 wordsRead More