Satan in Paradise Lost In his article This Way to Paradise Tom Paulin suggests that Miltons portrayal of Satan in Paradise Lost reveals him as Gnostic. Miltons intelligence enabled him to look at the Christian fable of Devils uprising against God from different prospective. Paulin says that the reason why Miltons appears as being sympathetic towards Satan is because deceiver of mankind represents what Milton believed to be the most important factor of progress the principle of scientific inquire. Therefore, suggestions that Milton was a secret Satanist must be brushed aside, as unsubstantiated. There are no esoteric motifs can be found in how Milton describes Satan, which points out to the fact that for Milton, Satan was a purely allegorical figure, which served as personification of Renaissance values. Paul Williams article John Milton and Paradise Lost is meant to convince readers that the reason why Milton choose Satan, as the center of his attention in Paradise Lost, is because the controversy that surrounds this character, would allow him to achieve a maximum of dramatic tension in his poem. Milton wanted to surpass Shakespeare, as dramatic writer, and the only way to do it was through entitling the character of Satan, whose is being traditionally feared and despised, with positive psychological qualities, such as courage, strong determination and independent thinking. Williams suggests that it was not authors original intention to make Satan so appealing in his poem. Milton was envisioning it is something that would help people to understand the ways of God a little better.
The Essay on Paradise Lost John Miltons Satan Hero Or Not
... the way he believes they are. In book II of Paradise Lost, Milton portrays Satan as a rebel who exhibits certain heroic qualities, but ... of the battle, where we expect him, is Miltons Satan, the great rebel of Paradise Lost (Hamilton 7). Hamilton also introduces the idea of ...
The irony lies in the fact that poem ended up containing a strong anti-clerical message. Bryn Pearsons review of Miltons poem Better to Reign in Hell? is more descriptive than analytical. Author explains social dynamics within Paradise Lost. However, Pearson also suggests that there are legitimate reasons to think of Miltons poem as being pro-Satanist. This is because Satans logic does make sense, while God is shown in the poem as being both: omnipotent and absent. Pearson does not base his argument on rational thinking. According to him, Satan simply cannot be good, because it is something incomprehensible. This reveals author as typical Christian, who is not over burdened with intelligence.
Pearson admits that Miltons Satan is more humane than God; still, this is exactly the reason why he comes up to conclusion that Paradise Lost is work that is being inspired by the Devil. David Mikics critical essay Miltonic Marriage and the Challenge to History in Paradise Lost adopts a more academic approach towards understanding the character of Satan in Miltons poem. Author links Miltons apparent Gnosticism with the fact that he was being rumored as member of Order of Knights Templars. Templars used to refer to Christian God as Demiurge, while implying that it is he who is actually Satan, because throughout the Bible, he is shown to us as bloodthirsty tribal God, who encouraged Jews to exterminate goims, as if they were some wild animals. Mikics thinks that Miltons true purpose was to instigate animosity towards Christian God, without facing a risk of prosecution, on the part of religious authorities. Ian Johnstons Lecture on Milton’s Paradise Lost promotes the idea that we need to think of Paradise Lost in social, rather than in religious context. Author points out to the fact that Miltons view of Satan fits into a classical description of a revolutionary, who often challenges governmental authorities, despite the impossible odds.
Johnston suggests that the character of Satan in Paradise Lost is nothing but Miltons subconscious sublimation of Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell often used to resort to violence, but his foremost goal was promotion of social freedoms and suppression of religious prejudices. Satan is also represented to us as someone who strives for something greater than the conventional ideal of happiness in Paradise, where he would be required to sing Hallelujah non-stop. Therefore, Johnson considers the character of Satan in Miltons poem as embodiment of revolutionary spirit.
The Essay on How And Why Critics Perceived Satan As A Hero In John Miltons Paradise Lost
How and why critics perceived Satan as a hero in John Milton's Paradise Lost. Satan is seen as the anti hero by the literary critics. He opposes God whom he believes as tyrannical. Satan was born as an angel .However; his thirst for supremacy made him an anti god. Satan is seen as a rebellious son who wants to be free from a puritan father. He allures all to be with him.As a result, number of his ...
Bibliography:
Paulin, Tom This Way to Paradise. 17 Jul. 2004.
Guardian Unlimited. 2 May. 2007.http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,12 084,1262309,00.html Pearson, Bryn Better to Reign in Hell?. 2002. DooYoo. 2 May. 2007. http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/printed-books/paradise-los t-john-milton/354926/ Johnston, Ian Lecture on Milton’s Paradise Lost.
1998. Malaspina University-College. 2 May. 2007. http://www.mala.bc.ca/~Johnstoi/Eng200/milton.htm Mikics, David Miltonic Marriage and the Challenge to History in Paradise Lost. 22 Mar. 2004.
Access My Library.Com. 2 May. 2007. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286- 6208472_ITM Williams, Paul John Milton and Paradise Lost. 27. Jun. 2006.
Authors Den. 2 May. 2007. http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?id =19383.
