Is Satan a hero? That is a question asked by puzzled readers of Paradise Lost. Even though the answer appeared to be a simple yes or no, the answer to this question is complex. However, the condensed version of this answer is that Satan is a fallen hero; basically, Satan is neither a hero or not a hero. Instead Satan’s character is considered to be in the middle of this fine line between both hero and villain. This is made evident through the various actions and characteristics that have been outwardly displayed with Satan’s character. Also proof of Satan being a fallen hero is viewed through a comparison between him to another fallen hero called Macbeth; Macbeth is also another fallen hero from the famous Shakespearian play titled Macbeth.
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However, even though Satan has multiple traits of a hero, he has one fatal flaw that makes him into a fallen hero. This fatal flaw within Satan is that his is overambitious; this flaw is evident at the start of the epic when Milton says, “ and with ambitious aim / Against the Throne and Monarchy of God / Raised impious war in Heav’n and battle proud / With vain attempt.” (Milton book I, 41-44). This displays that it was Satan’s own ambition that got him in trouble in the first place; likewise, this shows Satan’s major flaw was being overambitious. Overall, Satan has multiple traits viewed with a hero, but what makes him a fallen hero is his over ambitious nature that results in a major flaw being created within his …show more content…
The first connection that shows Satan to be a fallen hero similar to Macbeth is viewed through both Satan and Macbeth’s major flaw. The major flaw that results in their downfall is ambition; this ambition is what cause Macbeth to become the evil corrupted king who was later killed. This is similar to Satan who let his ambition get the best of him; this is what caused him to be forced into eternal suffering as the king of hell. Likewise, this shows a clear connection with Satan to another fallen hero. The next connection between Macbeth and Satan is with each of their characters before they fell. This connection with their characters is viewed through the way that both of them were virtuous people before they fell. This is supported when Milton says, “with all his Host / Of Rebel Angels, by whose aid aspiring / To set himself in Glory above his Peers,” (Milton book I, 37-39). Basically, Satan was an angel before he let his ambition destroy his heroic nature. This is similar to Macbeth who was also virtuous noble man; however, his ambition pushed him to kill his king. This began his downward spiral similar to Satan when he waged war on God. The next connection between Macbeth and Satan is with the way that both of them face justice in the end for their crimes. This idea is visible in Satan when Milton says, “Down fell both spear and shield, down they as fast, /
However, even though Satan has multiple traits of a hero, he has one fatal flaw that makes him into a fallen hero. This fatal flaw within Satan is that his is overambitious; this flaw is evident at the start of the epic when Milton says, “ and with ambitious aim / Against the Throne and Monarchy of God / Raised impious war in Heav’n and battle proud / With vain attempt.” (Milton book I, 41-44). This displays that it was Satan’s own ambition that got him in trouble in the first place; likewise, this shows Satan’s major flaw was being overambitious. Overall, Satan has multiple traits viewed with a hero, but what makes him a fallen hero is his over ambitious nature that results in a major flaw being created within his …show more content…
The first connection that shows Satan to be a fallen hero similar to Macbeth is viewed through both Satan and Macbeth’s major flaw. The major flaw that results in their downfall is ambition; this ambition is what cause Macbeth to become the evil corrupted king who was later killed. This is similar to Satan who let his ambition get the best of him; this is what caused him to be forced into eternal suffering as the king of hell. Likewise, this shows a clear connection with Satan to another fallen hero. The next connection between Macbeth and Satan is with each of their characters before they fell. This connection with their characters is viewed through the way that both of them were virtuous people before they fell. This is supported when Milton says, “with all his Host / Of Rebel Angels, by whose aid aspiring / To set himself in Glory above his Peers,” (Milton book I, 37-39). Basically, Satan was an angel before he let his ambition destroy his heroic nature. This is similar to Macbeth who was also virtuous noble man; however, his ambition pushed him to kill his king. This began his downward spiral similar to Satan when he waged war on God. The next connection between Macbeth and Satan is with the way that both of them face justice in the end for their crimes. This idea is visible in Satan when Milton says, “Down fell both spear and shield, down they as fast, /