Heaven or Hell: certain religions base their life decisions on whether or not they are going to these ecclesiastical afterlives. Many strive to reach Heaven, a place of angels and pure holiness, the place closest to God. Hell is a condemned locality, the dwelling of those who chose to sin without forgiveness. In many films, literature, music, etc. Hell is Satans kingdom. Satan, usually the antagonist, is portrayed in a rather untraditional light in Paradise Lost.
Throughout the first few books of Paradise Lost, Satan seems as if he's the hero of the poem, due to the spotlight being focused on him. The first books validate his strifehe is defeated and banished from Heaven, and commences constituting a new course for himself and his followers. Usually, the hero or protagonist of any literary work is a person who hassles to achieve something. Milton ups the apprehension by spending enhanced time telling us about the antagonist rather than the protagonist. Even when the focus of the epic alternates to Adam and Eve, Satan continues to thrive as the overshadowing character in the poem.
Milton dramatizes Satan as being a gargantuan figure of the underworld by using epic similes. These types of similes are used to authorize the colossal size or strength of characters. However, the reader truthfully has no idea how immense Satan is at all, similar to the Titans. In actuality, we do not know how big anything described in Hell is. Satan also takes many forms and shapes, proving that he may not be as astronomical as he is conveyed.
Book I showcases Satan chiefly as a military hero, and the devils as contestants of war. Simultaneously, Milton propositions a tacit critique of a literary custom that magnifies war and warriors. Satan exudes all of the merit of a classic warrior. He is a brave heart, refusing to succumb in the face of insurmountable odds, and able to summon followers in courageous and violent adventures. Milton is evidently aware of his actions to make Satan somewhat appealing. Luring us into commiserating with and idolizing Satan, Milton compels us to ponder why we respect aggressive prowess and pride in literary characters.
While Book I may be seen as mimicry of warmongering valor, the devils' tiff in Book II can be read as a spoof of political debate. The peaceful decision to wreak the destruction of humankind shows how corruption has downfall, which can make evil appear acceptable. Milton depicts the devils' organization ironically, making Hell's freshly formed supremacy sound orthodox and powerful when it is in fact grossly illegitimate and weak. Here Milton satirizes politicians and political controversies in general, not just nefarious politicians. Milton also exposes his pessimism about political institutions and organizations. After the debate in Hell is resolved, the object of satire shifts to philosophers and religious thinkers.
Not only has Milton persuaded the mind of the reader to look at Satan in retrospect as possibly being a hero-like figure, but he pushed the views of politics in his edition of the book of Genesis. Striving to achieve the same literary merit as Homer, Virgil, and other poets, he has surpassed the traditional epic formats and mastered the craft.
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