In order for a novel to be considered Gothic literature it has to have certain elements. Milton’s Paradise Lost exudes gothic characteristics. The first is Pandemonium. When Satan and his followers are banished to Hell, together they create Pandemonium.
Gothic literature is really all about intense emotion and the confusion between good and evil. Powerful emotion is clearly evident in Paradise Lost as there is a constant grasping or pushing and pulling with good and evil, God and Satan. The way John Milton wrote the text it would seem as though his intent is to confuse the audience as far as who is the hero and the villain.
Throughout the novel, we get various passages that would seem to be indicative of Satan’s jealousy. The first instance …show more content…
Now, focusing on Satan we see that in the beginning he is a heavenly entity. After falling, he becomes Satan, a devil. There are also other clues in the text that are giveaways to the supernatural forces at work within the text. For instance we learn that Satan is capable of adjusting his size in Book One. We see that he has wings and is fully capable of flight in Book NinE. We also learn that he has the ability to shapeshift into different entities (i.e. cherub, snake).
In gothic literature there are usually omens, prophecies and dreams. The omen in Paradise Lost would be when Satan and Raphael were engaging in battle and a pair of golden scales appeared in the sky to give Satan a warning. The other prophecy/dream would be when Satan whispers into Eve’s ear about eating from the Tree of Knowledge.
Typically heroes are able to know when to pick a fight and when not to. After facing God’s wrath Satan decided that they should approach the situation from a different angle.
My conclusion is that yes Satan can be seen as a protagonist. Throughout the text, Satan’s actions, thoughts and behavior seem to be in line with all three definitions of the word. He can be seen as the good guy. He did fight for change, his cause. He also can easily be considered the main character of the majority of the
Gothic literature is really all about intense emotion and the confusion between good and evil. Powerful emotion is clearly evident in Paradise Lost as there is a constant grasping or pushing and pulling with good and evil, God and Satan. The way John Milton wrote the text it would seem as though his intent is to confuse the audience as far as who is the hero and the villain.
Throughout the novel, we get various passages that would seem to be indicative of Satan’s jealousy. The first instance …show more content…
Now, focusing on Satan we see that in the beginning he is a heavenly entity. After falling, he becomes Satan, a devil. There are also other clues in the text that are giveaways to the supernatural forces at work within the text. For instance we learn that Satan is capable of adjusting his size in Book One. We see that he has wings and is fully capable of flight in Book NinE. We also learn that he has the ability to shapeshift into different entities (i.e. cherub, snake).
In gothic literature there are usually omens, prophecies and dreams. The omen in Paradise Lost would be when Satan and Raphael were engaging in battle and a pair of golden scales appeared in the sky to give Satan a warning. The other prophecy/dream would be when Satan whispers into Eve’s ear about eating from the Tree of Knowledge.
Typically heroes are able to know when to pick a fight and when not to. After facing God’s wrath Satan decided that they should approach the situation from a different angle.
My conclusion is that yes Satan can be seen as a protagonist. Throughout the text, Satan’s actions, thoughts and behavior seem to be in line with all three definitions of the word. He can be seen as the good guy. He did fight for change, his cause. He also can easily be considered the main character of the majority of the