Lost

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…

We wish to interpret and pick apart every line, every stanza, every couplet until we know the entirety of the piece. Epic poems are particularly picked apart by critics time and time again. By far the most criticized epic poem is Milton’s Paradise Lost. A retelling of the old testament story of Adam and Eve, but mostly from the point of view of Satan and God is one of the most dangerous and brilliant things Milton could have done. The fall of Satan and man has only ever been seen from an…

In John Milton’s, “Paradise Lost” there is a display of symbolism that comes across his writing. A great example of symbolism is that of the garden of Eden. In Alexander Popes, “The Rape of the Lock” there is a symbolism of materialistic importance and vanity. While in William Blake’s, “The marriage of Heaven and Hell” the symbolism is that of visions of angels and hell. These authors incorporate their symbolism in a way to send across a message whether it is the background story of Satan, the…

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: (A discussion of Milton’s Theodicy in Paradise Lost) Mythology is a way for people to explain the unexplainable. From the Greek gods and mythology to the Biblical version of the creation, people use stories like these to explain how and why things happen the way they do. Milton uses the story of Adam and Eve to explain why terrible things like death, illness, and suffering occur in the world today. He uses the story to explain how God can be an all loving, all…

Feudal and Futile: How the Angels vs. Devils Battle is a Parody of Epic Warfare In John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost, the Biblical account of the fall of man into sin is taken to a new height by Milton’s use of metaphorical storytelling. Using the story of Genesis 3 as a basis, Milton further expounds on the fall of mankind out of God’s graces and into Sin by providing much imagined elaboration and backstory into which he infuses his own moral and spiritual lessons. The battle between God’s…

In the first book of Milton’s Paradise Lost, he describes evil’s violent and elusive nature. Satan has been recently sent to Hell, a place that is the epitome of the character of Evil. Taking in the atmosphere he says, “As one great Furnace flam’d, yet from those flames/No light, but rather darkness visible” (I. 37-48). The portrayal of Hell as a lightless fire showcases its violent nature. The word “fire” serves as an indicator of evil’s anger, intense, and powerful nature. Labeling the fire as…

In chapter four of Paradise Lost, shame plays a major role in Satan’s characterization not only because it brings attention to his disfigured shape, but also to the readers’ pathos. That is, although shame makes Satan and the readers aware of his vileness, it also reminds them both of the alleged-mistreatment by God. For instance, in Satan’s soliloquy, he states, “but other Powers as great [as I]/ Fell not, but stand unshak’n” (Book IV, 63-4). Satan strategically compares himself to other…

John Milton’s Paradise Lost is one of the most monumental and celebrated works in English literature. Often described as an “epic to end all epics”, it is renowned for its grandiose scale, unique manipulation of epic conventions, and the complexity of its narrative, characters, and language (Stallworthy et al. 1830). Among these distinctive features, one of them is quickly recognisable to the reader: its unconventional portrayal of Satan and the Fallen Angels. Departing from traditional Medieval…

Milton uses allusions throughout Paradise Lost including biblical references, literary references and mythological references. Many of his allusions refer to the Bible story of Adam, Eve, and Lucifer, explaining their sins and the reason humans lost their paradise. He also uses other literary and mythological references to relate further to the story. To begin with, Milton uses many allusions to the Bible. He opens the story explaining man’s first sin with the forbidden fruit and Adam and Eve:…

The Arguments in Paradise Lost are prose summaries added to Milton’s text to outline their book’s events, thus making them more easily comprehensible to the reader. The addendums were added after their initial appearance, when the printer requested summaries as a prefix to each book. Paradise Lost requires these Arguments due to its density, numerous allusions, and sheer complexity, under which the narrative can be lost to the reader without guidance. As such, they are integral to understanding…