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Satan in Paradise Lost


             Satan's character is very complex and different in Milton's Paradise Lost, than other works of literature, for example the Bible. In most instances, Satan is viewed as a monster that created Hell and all of its monstrosities. He is viewed without sympathy, and the reader does not engage in thinking about what Satan is feeling or what is running through his mind. In Paradise Lost, this is very different. The character of Satan is viewed with pity and the reader can not help but to think what would make Satan hate human kind so much?! The following essay, will explore these questions and prove the point that Milton portrays his character of Satan as a sympathetic creature. God drove the devil out and created man. If the devil did not betray God, what would be?! Before we discuss Satan's character in detail, one must first explore how he came about, according to Milton . . . .
             The war in Heaven was between forces of Satan and forces of God. Because of Satan's involvement in this war, he and his followers will be surrounded by "war and violence, hate and rage, forever. Since he began it, he will be forced to continue in it for eternity," "In John Milton's Paradise Lost, he tells of Satan's banishment from Heaven. He and his followers have plotted war against God and are now doomed to suffer in the fiery pits of hell" ( Linn, 23 ). Satan is a complex character with many qualities. The relationship between Satan's qualities and Hell's atmosphere tell the reader more about why they seem to go hand in hand. Satan has disobeyed God and needs to be tied, restrained, and controlled. According to Linn, "The fire is only to show Satan's first intentions. Fire symbolizes evil and pain, both of which he is a part of. He is the creator of evil just as God is the creator of all"( 27 ).
             Hell has "no light, but rather darkness served only to discover sights of woe." It is a "region of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace and rest can never dwell, hope never comes .


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