Satan as a hero in paradise lost :-

 

Satan as a hero in paradise lost :-

Introduction:  The character of Satan can be depicted as an heroic figure and in how far Satan can be described as epic hero. John Milton is forcing the reader of Paradise Lost to consider the possibility that Satan may actually be a hero, or at least a character that might be analysed in a more complex way. The character of Satan uses this tension and provokes the reader.  

The following points justifies Satan as a hero :-

Adventure attitude

To present the character of Satan in front of the readers, Milton displays the chivalric and adventurous outlook of Satan. He is such a character who cannot bear to be a servant but is a character having the Leader. As he says,-

OF Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit

Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tast

Brought Death into the World, and all our woe,

With loss of Eden, till one greater Man

The above Lines prove that Satan can live in a place of torment like Hell, but he can't live in Heaven as a servant though haven is a place of eternal peace.

Heroic Leadership

One of the features of the Renaissance is heroic Leadership which is forged into Satan so finely by Milton, Satan, as a leader and true Protagonist, chooses to accept the harsh situation of hell and acts as a hero of the other fallen. angels, Hell is now haven for him because at least no one is here to rule over him, only he will reign here. He is the only king of this place, Meanwhile, Satan says,-

If thou beest he; But O how fall'n! how chang'd

From him, who in the happy Realms of Light

Classical model

There was a trend in using the classical models of the character in English poetry,  So as Milton also uses Satan as the classical model of his epic poem, To prove him as a classical model, Milton describes the objects Satan bears, For example, the shield and the spear that Satan carries have been compared with the moon and the most of a flagship, Milton also compared Satan with the largest sea-monster  to imply his power.

Morality and intellectuality 

From the viewpoint of this point, Satan stands as a great political figure, possessed with unbeatable courage, stubbornness, and lust for for revenge can be clearly traced in the following lines that he tells Beelzebub:-

So Satan spake, and him Beelzebub

Thus answer'd.   Leader of those Armies bright,

From the viewpoint of this point, Satan stands as a great political figure, possessed with unbeatable courage, stubbornness, and lust for revenge. His indomitable wish and undying lust for revenge can be clearly traced.

Riot against the authority

There was also a trend in the Renaissance that is to revolt against the authority of the church. To create the character of Satan, Milton also forged the exact flavor in him, Likewise, he also stands against God, He works as a rebel alongside the monarchy of God. In his declaration of the assembly of the fallen angels, it is clear that he has a strong hatched for God and he wants a war rather it would be open or secret, against the Almighty,

Reference - Study guide, Lecture series, PRC foundation and text book.

This note is prepared by MD. Nafiz karim.( Founder of Writers360 Blog)