In Books 1 and 2 of John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost, the action focuses firmly on the fallen angels and, specifically, Satan. ... He displays the intelligence and guts required to lead, but at the same time leads his men into a fight they know they can never win. He is, however, undoubtedly heroic, and with God, nor Adam or Eve so far not mentioned except in passing, and the only words being spoken by the fallen angels (as Books 1 and 2 are all from their point of view) Satan is so far the true hero of John Milton's Paradise Lost. ...

• Word Count: 992
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

In 1656 John Milton endeavoured to write the first English epic. ... John Milton was a very religious man, as evidenced by the subject matter of his epic. ... Milton has successfully translated to literature, the most familiar story of all time; that is the moral struggle between good and evil. ... So to counteract this, he adopts the perspective of the most evil character of all time. ... It is the first time for Satan to be presented as heroic. ...

• Word Count: 1518
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School