This is exactly the case with John Milton's Satan from his poem Paradise Lost. ... These evil characteristics in the same person as the good characteristics cause many contradictions to arise throughout the poem. ... In his efforts to develop Satan as one of the main characters in the poem, Milton gives him both evil and heroic characteristics. ... As a result of the depth of his development, Satan cannot be typecast as a traditional epic hero or a classic villain. ... Leadership ability is also another positive characteristic in Satan. ...

• Word Count: 2236
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

According to Neil Forsyth, John Milton's Paradise Lost is "an epic poem about the origin of evil" (Forsyth). ... Throughout the poem, Milton presents evil as "real and isolated in a single being, and therefore punishable" (Kaiter, and Sandiuc 452). ... All of the same qualities that help him succeed in forming his army are the same characteristics that ultimately lead to his defeat. ... In the poem Paradise Lost, Milton's Satan crosses over to observe God's new world. ... As William Hazlitt remarks, Satan is "the most heroic subject ever chosen in a poem...

• Word Count: 1335
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School