The following references to Paradise Lost' means Book 1 only.
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, who has been identifying with Satan. .
John Milton was a very religious man, as evidenced by the subject matter of his epic. He was deeply concerned with the temple-worship' of Catholicism and devoted much of his time to expressing his views on religion in pamphlets. This passionate religious perspective is the inspiration for Paradise Lost'. Milton is trying to enlighten the reader and help him/her to become a better Christian. Milton has successfully translated to literature, the most familiar story of all time; that is the moral struggle between good and evil.
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The story focuses especially on the struggle between God and Satan, the typical contrast of good and evil. The infallibility and omniscience of God is intimidating and difficult to comprehend.
