Epic poems have been known to share similar characteristics such as the invocation of a muse, the use of epic catalogues, epic similes, and in most cases, there is a hero involved to save the day. Paradise Lost and The Faerie Queene are two examples of epic poetry sharing similar epic conventions, but differing in the notion of how heroism is portrayed, such that one, The Faerie Queene, conforms to the traditional notions of heroism of knighthood and chivalry, whereas Paradise Lost undermines these traditions of classical heroism by presenting a hero that saves humanity without any act of violence or aggression. .
Milton's Paradise Lost is an epic poem showing the battle between G-d and Satan, good and evil. He portrays the devil as the character who wants to ruin G-d's creations, but at first, Milton presents him such that he seems as the hero of the story. This is because like a typical protagonist, he struggles to overcome his own flaws and doubts, changes over the course of the poem, and he accomplishes his goal. However, the goal he accomplishes is an evil one and at the end he is no longer admirable. Milton presents him from Book I to Book X where he changes substantially and finally disappears from the poem and ends up suffering in Hell as a serpent.
After Milton seems to lose interest with Satan, he draws his attention to Adam and Eve, specially Adam, in which Milton portrays him as Eve's superior and as the character who enjoys a closer relationship to G-d. Furthermore, Milton's choice of preference over Adam can be established when he portrays him as an innocent and intelligent character, as well as strong not only physically, but mentally. This appreciation and admiration over Adam by Milton paves the way toward converting Adam into the hero. As the course of the poem takes way, a tragic turn develops and we can see Milton's intention of showing that the fall of humankind is more heroic than that of other epic poems, such as The Faerie Queene.
