Satan's Reason Anonymous College

Satan’s Reason            

The character of Satan in Milton’s Paradise Lost is a different portrayal than traditional biblical teachings imply. The Christian tradition provides a dichotomist view of heaven and hell, good and evil, God and Satan. Milton’s theology is different in that it forces the reader to think more critically about the character of Satan, and how he fits in with the story of the fortunate fall. Milton appeals to the fallen reader as well, by creating Satan as a more dynamic character. The reader sees him in several situations: at war with God, ruling in hell, and tempting Eve. While Satan does not appear significantly after the fall, he is a present figure leading up to Adam and Eve’s temptation. Satan, as a character, is also easier to sympathize with in Milton’s theology. He continues to exist in Hell, but experiences paradise. He is the most powerful of Hell, but weakest of Heaven. The overarching irony of Paradise Lost is that Satan should be seen as the opposition to God and all things holy, but yet he offers some of the most logical reasoning in the poem. Satan uses his own intuition to appeal to Adam and Eve’s...