Satan in John Milton's "Paradise Lost"

Paper Summary:

This paper gives a brief summary and interpretation of "Paradise Lost." The author argues that Satan exhibits three characteristics of heroism, evil and simple human emotion. It examines why a religious poem that justifies the ways of God to man presents a compelling portrait of Satan, the very embodiment of evil.

From the Paper:

"To begin, I will briefly summarize Milton's Poem, Paradise Lost. In Paradise Lost, John Milton adapts the story of Genesis, as told into the Bible, into the form of an epic poem. Milton begins the poem by asking a must for assistance. Satan and his followers are first shown in hell, where they have been banished for their rebellion against God himself. The bitter ex-angels build the palace Pandemonium, which acts as an assembly hall for the powerful and angry demons. In Pandemonium the demons plot their revenge against God. They debate whether to avenge their fall by waging war on God and heaven, or by resorting to trickery against God himself."

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