Hero of the Poets Anonymous College

In Milton's Paradise Lost, Satan appears to be an antagonist to God, but is actually a hero in rebel form. Through his speeches and the birth of Sin, Satan establishes himself as a creator. Creation, especially through word, is the ultimate form of expression for poets. Satan upholds the poetic values of subversion and originality, rejecting current ideals and freely making his own. Milton's poetic hero possesses these traits because, according to him, poets push the boundaries of thought and culture. Satan upholds the heroic ideal of defending freedom to create in the world.

Even though God is the ultimate creator, Satan is the first poet: he proves that creation is not exclusive to God. Satan is a creator of rhetoric: words come to him quickly with eloquence and style. After the archangels have been damned to hell, Beelzebub gives up hope and laments their situation. In response to Beelzebub's question, “with speedy words the arch-fiend replied” (Paradise Lost 1.156). This demonstrates how Satan speaks through spontaneous overflow: he is a vessel for the words that flow from him. Like poets, Satan has the ability to channel his spirit into words. The words that Satan channels are beautiful and effective: “What reinforcement...