Examine the nature of heroism in Paradise Lost. Which character in the poem would you describe as the most heroic (Satan, Adam, Eve, the Son of God) In what ways might this character differ from conventional representations of heroism For this topic, yo - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... to evaluate which of the characters among Satan, Adam, Eve, and Son of God, is the most heroic, we first look into the actions and thinking of each of them as depicted in John Milton’s masterpiece.
The poem first talks about Satan who was previously known as Lucifer. The poem says Satan was once the most beautiful angel who fell out of grace to become a classic villain; often defiantly stating ‘better to reign in hell than serve in Heaven’. Before his tragic fall, Satan expresses discomfort at being ruled over by God and His Son arguing that angels are ‘self begot’ and ‘self raised’ and so God has no authority over them. He then leads a rebellion in Heaven (to usurp God’s throne and authority) which is met with failure of apocalyptic proportions.
Though Satan is depicted as an arrogant character, the poet also regards him as charismatic and powerful. Even after the great defeat, he is still able to rally fellow fallen angels in hell to remain firm in their presently catastrophic rebellion (Nutt, 2011). He is able to do this and much more because he is deceptive and cunning. In as much as Satan argues that his rebellion stems from God’s dictatorial tendencies, he cannot be considered a hero because of the actions that he continuously commits throughout the poem which leads to mankind’s downfall and everlasting damnation of his fellow rebellious angels. Moreover, he lacks the virtues portrayed in a hero throughout the poem as he possesses the sole motive of endlessly tempting man and destroying anything good that God institutes. The depths of the vice and corruption exhibited by Satan is nowhere near the traits of a hero even if Satan is all out to make his sinister motives appear good willed and benign. Because of his ability to make his motives seem pure and positive, many readers of the poem Paradise Lost can erroneously classify Satan as a hero.
In the poem, Adam is the first human being that is created by God. His ensuing loneliness causes ...Download file to see next pagesRead More