Satan: The Unlikely Hero The following references to Paradise Lost' means Book 1 only. ... The result was Paradise Lost'. ... This passionate religious perspective is the inspiration for Paradise Lost'. ... In Paradise Lost' Milton's beliefs are presented through Satan as he commands his army of fallen angels. ... Milton's Paradise Lost' is unsettling to the status quo of his readers because Satan is presented as a hero. ...
That said, modern readers of Milton's Paradise Lost may be inclined to observe Satan's government in Hell as ideal - everyone has an opportunity to speak his piece, and votes are taken when decisions are called for. ... However, twentieth century wisdom does not apply to Paradise Lost, as Milton takes great pains to associate God's council with holiness, and Satan's with wickedness. ... In it, he makes the transition from "utter and middle darkness of Chaos and eternal Night- to the "holy light- and "Eternal coeternal beam- (Paradise Lost, Book III). ...