Satan In Paradise Lost
analytical Essay
858 words
All About That Grace, Bout’ That Grace, No Satan
Hero 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.
When reading paradise Lost, the
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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.
Milton prompts the reader to understand God’s grace as the most almighty and powerful aspect within the first twenty-six lines. God is a powerful ruler who bestows blessings if his policies are followed and eternal damnation if not. The first two books of Paradise Lost portray Satan as a confused, resentful man who feels the need to rebel against God. Since Satan rebelled against God, he was banished from heaven and summoned into an eternal hell. While in hell, Satan gathered his fallen angels for a pep talk and exclaimed to them, “Farewell, happy fields, where joy forever dwell; in my choice to reign is worth ambition though in Hell” (Book 1, Line 1). In this exclamation Satan bids adieu to the pleasure and blissful surroundings of paradise and greets the gloom and dreadfulness that now surround him with open arms. The reader can conclude that Milton relays Satan’s speech as remorseful and full of regret at the penalty of his rebellious actions, but accepts what he has done and is ready to rule the underworld. The reader can also note one difference between Satan and God in this passage because unlike God, Satan chose to speak to all who follow him and wanted their feedback for his rebellious plans. Satan continues his speech by adding, “Receive thy new possessor. Not to be changed by place or time” (Book 1, Line 1). Satan is regulating his mental perception as he greets Hell. He portrays himself as equipped and ready for Hell to receive him as the leader. Like God, Satan brought his autonomous mentality, free of time or location, to Hell. As the new supreme leader of the underworld, with his independent mind, Satan boldly compares himself to God through the element of
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- 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 - Satan: The Adversaryanalytical essayIn Paradise Lost by John Milton, Satan is depicted as a malicious and deceiving character who is fueled by his own ambitions to overthrow God. His role and appearance in Paradise Lost is conveyed through his envious behavior, his foolish attempts to battle God, and his cunning deceptions. Satan’s manipulative and malignant personality is also demonstrated in various verses of Scripture and CS Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters by demonstrating his spiteful behavior and self-deluded lies.
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 - John Milton Paradise Lost Analysisanalytical essayThroughout 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.
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.
1587 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 - John Miltonanalytical essaySatan, as a character, has been satirized, mocked and made foolish in our modern world. John Milton, however, presents quite a different Satan from the devil-on-your-shoulder image people are used to seeing. In Paradise Lost, Milton draws on the Bible for his source of Satan’s character, thereby creating a horrifyingly corrupt Satan. Despite this portrayal, readers often find themselves sympathizing with Satan’s cause, and his determination, viewing him as a hero for his cause, as evidenced by his long, brave speeches. Later, however Satan’s speeches begin to show signs of regret, making the reader question their initial reaction to him. In the end the image of Satan is further skewed by his own incriminating speech. Thus, the speeches of Satan, which initially draw readers to be supportive of his plight, later reveal his truly destructive character, resulting in the reader disliking Satan more than if he initially presented himself as a coward.
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 - 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 - 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 And Satan In John Milton's Paradise Lostanalytical essayJohn Milton was a very interesting human being. Milton was a poet who lived during the seventeenth century and he wanted to create something astounding that rivaled Homer and Virgil, authors of the world’s great epic poems. He decided to follow the story of Adam and Eve from the Bible’s, Genesis 3. To explain the acts of God to men was his chief goal and he achieved it by telling of the first disobediences towards God and what he did as a consequence. What’s even more interesting, is that Milton wrote the whole poem, Paradise Lost, completely blind. He didn’t exactly write it, but rather recited it to his daughters who wrote it down. Another very interesting thing Milton did, was he decided to portray Satan as not only a villain, but also as a hero in Paradise Lost.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that john milton was an interesting human being who wanted to create something astounding that rivaled homer and virgil, authors of the world's great epic poems.
- Analyzes how milton portrays satan as a hero in paradise lost. the poem begins with satan and his other fallen angels in hell.
- Analyzes how satan's struggle in paradise lost is ironic because god allows satan to corrupt and cause the fall of man because he believes that people should have the ability of free will.
- Analyzes how milton portrays satan as the hero in paradise lost, but it is clear that he is a villain. satan is made up of pride, ambition, jealousy, temptation, manipulation, fraud, and sin.
- Analyzes how milton depicts satan as a villain and the hero in paradise lost, but he's also the embodiment of hell itself. milton knew how to portray satan to conflict the reader.
732 wordsRead More - humanizing Satinanalytical essayIn John Milton’s, The Paradise Lost, Milton’s representation of Satan makes us uncomfortable due to the recognition of his humanizing and relatable reaction to what happened to him. The reader expects Satan to be an evil, and malevolent figure who does evil acts because he loves it and there is no defense for it. While these aspects are prevalent in his character in the poem, Satan does not come across as a completely wicked person but instead, a victim. The representation of Satan has a personifying quality that any of us may have and do not want to admit. In book one, Milton’s portrayal of Satan makes us uneasy because we relate to his actions, which are ordinary human responses to similar situations. It is troubling to say that in this particular poem, Satan resembles humans. However, our human nature is to have an instant reflex to justify our actions without taking any responsibility, which resembles the way Satan justifies his mischievous acts in this poem. Most of the time, we would never think of Satan as a victim; yet, we find ourselves discovering our human nature in Satan’s rationalizations. So, what humanizes this monstrous figure? After thoroughly reading book one, there are many instances when Satan justifies what he has done to make sense of it. Satan believes that God deceived him because he did not know how much power he possessed. According to Satan, God did unjust things that justified his actions. Satan has a whole rationale that God had arbitrary power that caused Satan to become the way he is in the poem. This perception serves as Satan’s foundation on behalf of his justification, which we all can relate to because he does not take responsibility but pr...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how milton's portrayal of satan makes us uncomfortable due to the recognition of his humanizing and relatable reaction to what happened to him.
- Analyzes how satan claims that god created this hell and place of torture, whereas god's arbitrary power caused everything.
- Analyzes how satan describes his actions after his fall as a natural reaction to god's unjust ways. since he was the highest angel, how could satan have not been wronged?
- Analyzes how satan's innate reaction to not take responsibility for his actions is one of the most natural things that humans do.
- Analyzes how the humanizing aspect of satan resonates with most people. satan's evil acts throughout the poem may not be noble, but they are without doubt humanistic.
- Analyzes how satan illustrates god by writing, "his ministers of vengeance and pursuit" (book 1, 170). satan views god as someone who inflicts punishment to get retribution.
1422 wordsRead More - Heroic in Paradise Lost by John Lostanalytical essayThe theme of the 'heroic' in John Milton's Paradise Lost is one that has often been the focus of critical debate, namely in the debate surrounding which character is the 'true' hero of the poem. Most critics of the subject have, however, noted that the difficultly in defining the 'hero' of Milton's work is mainly due to our “vague understanding of what constitutes heroism”1 and the fact that “the term itself is equivocal”2. The 'vague' terming of what heroism can be defined as it what draws critics to disagree with one another over the nature of heroism, as Charles Martindale points out that there are 'different models of heroic', many of which Milton employs in his epic poem. To incorporate these different 'models' of the heroic into his poem, Milton relates various elements of these models to his characters, allowing him to 'test' and 'revalidate' certain ideas and images of the heroic. For the most part, the models of the heroic fit broadly into two camps, which leads critics like John Steadman to identify the “conflict between secular and divine criteria of the heroic”3. Furthermore, within these two main models of heroism critics mostly attempt to define the characters of Satan, Adam and the Son of God, depending on their characteristics throughout the poem.
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