Paradise Lost Satan Character Analysis

Readers of John Milton’s Paradise Lost generally have early preconceptions of Satan’s character that differ from their final judgement. The consensus is that Satan has either become more evil or readers gradually realize that they have been ensnared by Satan’s honey-coated words. However, has he truly become more evil as many say? Milton takes advantage of his readers’ preconceptions about Satan’s character by developing an unexpectedly charismatic, admirable and wholly relatable character; Milton’s Satan is nothing like the bedside story, ram horned and prong tailed, blotched red devil in popular culture. As “a living, thinking being, who plots and contrives, and hates and suffers” (Preston, 710), the sly devil languidly lures his readers

Satan’s initial endearing nervousness for his mission renders readers hopeful for Satan’s change of heart in spite of knowing the outcome. His troubled thoughts drag him closer to Hell, and “his grievd look he fixes sad” (IV, 28) at the pleasant view of Earth and Heaven invokes an inner turmoil that drowns him in regrets. Like any other narrative writer, Milton makes use of readers’ experiences; as Satan self-reflects, readers are reminded of what they have personally lost due to certain choices they made. Satan’s regret incites a brief speculation for repentance, but Satan quickly discards the idea because he knew he will only resent subordinating himself to God again (IV, 79-81). Satan understood that God deserved “a debt immense of endless gratitude” (IV, 52), but one can not force the other to love oneself; it is impossible to force someone to care, and one can only sit and wait until everything catches up to that someone and then they’ll realize what they lost. Now, Satan pays the price; his loss visible to himself, he despairs and regrets, understanding the poor decisions he has made. However, like a person in depression, Satan falls deeper entrenched in “infinite wrauth, and infinite despaire” (IV, 74), then finally shifts from sorrow to hatred and anger. Book IV accentuates Satan’s internal struggle,

Reader’s reception of Satan’s character may be ambivalent as Satan degenerates from an endearing relatable character to gutless filth and now, a puppet of God. However, the question remains, does Satan truly become evil as most say? Reconsider God’s behavior. Much of his actions, or inaction, stands as incriminating evidence. Admittedly, Satan has transgressed throughout Paradise Lost, but he has also endured an excruciating, agonizing, and degrading journey. As I’ve said before, I may be enchanted by Satan and swindled into justifying him. Even so, if Satan is truly evil, then what is God, if the omnipotent orchestrated the entirety of the Fortunate Fall? Is Satan not the victim? Perhaps Milton is undertaking a mission to embolden believers of God to rethink their impression that He is good and all else