In Paradise Lost, we encounter several important characters that we can classify as the hero of the story but there is only one character who truly fits the category of a hero. Adam, the first man created by God, is a true example of a tragic hero. Several characteristics of a tragic hero are a noble birth, fated for punishment or great suffering, free will and enlightenment through suffering. Milton believes that his character or subject is more heroic than Achilles or Aeneas because he doesn’t have the great qualities or features that they had but he still behaves like they did. Adam’s birth can be considered noble in the fact that he was the first man ever created by God but at the same time, he is simply associated to nobility because of
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Adam knew what he was doing, but he decided to trust in his earthly wife, Eve, and forget the promise he had made God. Before Adam and Eve break the promise or the covenant they had made with God, we can see that Adam was already destined for doom because of the strong feelings he had for Eve, feelings that became greater than the love he had for God. “His whom to love is to obey, and keep His great command; take heed lest passion sway thy judgement to do aught which else free will would not admit; thine and of all thy sons the weal or woe in thee is placed; beware” Raphael warns Adam about the love he has for her, reminding him that there is one he needs to love more and obey. Raphael’s warning foreshadows a characteristic that a tragic hero has, free will. Adam’s free will to do with Eve and the Tree of Knowledge is what leads him to fall and be punished by God. Lastly, a characteristic of a tragic here is the knowledge that comes through the suffering the hero endures. “What better can we do, than to the please repairing where he judged us, prostrate fall before him reverent and there confess humbly our faults and pardon beg with tears” Adam humbles himself down to God and admits his error, proving to be the real hero of the story. I agree with Milton’s claim because Adam possesses all of the characteristics of a hero, and although he is not the main
Adam knew what he was doing, but he decided to trust in his earthly wife, Eve, and forget the promise he had made God. Before Adam and Eve break the promise or the covenant they had made with God, we can see that Adam was already destined for doom because of the strong feelings he had for Eve, feelings that became greater than the love he had for God. “His whom to love is to obey, and keep His great command; take heed lest passion sway thy judgement to do aught which else free will would not admit; thine and of all thy sons the weal or woe in thee is placed; beware” Raphael warns Adam about the love he has for her, reminding him that there is one he needs to love more and obey. Raphael’s warning foreshadows a characteristic that a tragic hero has, free will. Adam’s free will to do with Eve and the Tree of Knowledge is what leads him to fall and be punished by God. Lastly, a characteristic of a tragic here is the knowledge that comes through the suffering the hero endures. “What better can we do, than to the please repairing where he judged us, prostrate fall before him reverent and there confess humbly our faults and pardon beg with tears” Adam humbles himself down to God and admits his error, proving to be the real hero of the story. I agree with Milton’s claim because Adam possesses all of the characteristics of a hero, and although he is not the main