In the text Paradise Lost, Satan is very much a main character who has maybe the most dialogue and character development. ... He lost this battle and God banished Satan as well as his followers out of Heaven forever. ... Most readers of Paradise Lost would agree, after reading the first half of the poem they want to sympathize with Satan. ... The status of whoever is reading Paradise Lost is most likely in a similar boat, not in the sense that they are in something like hell, but that they work to end up in a better place. ... Never in the poem does Satan speak about not wanting to be on Eart...

• Word Count: 1415
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

In Books 1 and 2 of John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost, the action focuses firmly on the fallen angels and, specifically, Satan. ... But is he the true hero of Paradise Lost? ... The council, or pandemonium, is opened by Satan's bold statement of, "Powers and Dominions, deities of heaven,/For since no deep within her gulf can hold/Immortal vigour, though oppressed and fallen,/I give not heaven for lost." ... They will fight back, and heaven is not "lost". ... He is, however, undoubtedly heroic, and with God, nor Adam or Eve so far not mentioned except in passing, and the only ...

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

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). ...

• Word Count: 2027
• Approx Pages: 8