This is exactly the case with John Milton's Satan from his poem Paradise Lost. ... Though the amount of time devoted to Satan's development in the poem is great, Milton fails to develop him along clear lines. ... If Satan is merely absurd, then we are not willing, though Milton is, to test evil by good. ... Milton even writes at one point that Satan can be admired and not feared (Milton II.677- 678). ... (Milton I.105-109) Satan is trying to instill in his troops the same courage that he possesses. ...

• Word Count: 2236
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• 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. ... 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