In 1656 John Milton endeavoured to write the first English epic. The result was ‘Paradise Lost’. His awe-inspiring poem tells the indescribable story of humanity’s ‘first disobedience’, the ‘original sin’. However the most intriguing element of the poem is his character representation of Satan. This character (Satan) is usually regarded as an antagonist, though Milton, surprisingly, presents him as a protagonist. Throughout the story Milton intentionally creates heroic qualities in Satan, in order to evoke sympathy from the reader. This sympathetic feeling evoked by Milton in the reader promotes a normality about what would in other contexts be an evil individual. Milton has purposefully revealed faults in Satan that humans can admire. Due to this atypical admiration, Satan becomes an unlikely hero. A hero is a person, normally a man, noted or admired for nobility, courage, and outstanding achievements. Milton imbues all these qualities into his Satan. This clever technique results in Milton’s intended purpose of glorifying God. The retribution Satan eventually receives from God has a powerful influence over the reader,

“For me, be witness all the host of heav’n,

“The dismal situation waste and wild

Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace

Some topics in this essay:
Leviathan Milton, Milton’s Satan, John Milton, Thanks Milton’s, Satan Satan, God Satan, God Humans, Lost’ Milton’s, Bible God’s, Christian Milton, ‘paradise lost’, unlikely hero, fallen angels, satan unlikely hero, satan heroic, reader feels, milton’s satan, evil character, god satan, god humans, milton successfully,