Do you consider Satan the hero of “Paradise Lost, Book I”?
Do you consider Satan the hero of “Paradise Lost, Book I”? Show arguments in favour of your answer. [NU. 2020, 2018] ★★★
In John Milton’s (1608-1674) “Paradise Lost, Book I” (1667), Satan is the main character. The story begins with him and follows his thoughts, speeches, and actions. He is brave, proud, and full of strong ideas. Satan can be considered to be the “hero” of Book I because he shows heroic qualities like courage, leadership, and determination. But he is also full of evil, pride, and rebellion. So, we can say that Satan is a tragic or false hero—a leader who looks great but chooses the wrong path.
Satan is the Main Character
In Book I, the focus is fully on Satan. Satan is the leader of the fallen angels. After losing the war in Heaven, he and his followers are thrown into Hell. Even though he is defeated, Satan is not sorry. Instead, he becomes more proud, angry, and evil. He speaks to the other fallen angels and tries to make them fight against God again. Satan is the one who moves the story forward. So, in terms of structure, he is the hero of this Book.
Heroic Qualities in Satan
Satan has many heroic traits. These are the things that make him look like a great leader.
Bravery: Satan is not afraid of punishment. Even in the fire of Hell, he speaks with strength.
Pride: Satan refuses to kneel before God. He is proud and rebellious. He says that it is better to be free in Hell than to serve in Heaven:
Determination: Even after defeat, Satan does not lose hope. Instead, he becomes more proud, angry, and evil. He believes he can still win. He says:“Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n.”
This shows that his spirit is not broken. Like an epic hero, he never gives up.“All is not lost; the unconquerable Will,...
And courage never to submit or yield:”
Satan as a Strong Leader: Satan is also shown as a strong and clever leader. When the other angels are lying in pain, he gives them hope. He gives powerful speeches that wake them up and make them ready to act. He says:
He calls a meeting and tells them to build Pandemonium, the capital of Hell. Because of Satan’s leadership, the devils start working again. This shows his leadership and ability to guide others, even in the darkness. These are also heroic qualities.“Awake, arise, or be for ever fall'n.”
Satan’s Evil Purpose: Even though Satan has strength and courage, his purpose is not good. He wants to fight against God. He uses his power to bring more pain and evil into the world. He plans to make others fall like him. This shows that he is not a moral hero. He is using his great gifts for a bad reason.
A Tragic or False Hero: Satan looks like a hero on the outside. He is brave, smart, and strong. But his heart is full of pride, hate, and revenge. This makes him a tragic or false hero. He has the shape of a hero but not the soul of one. Like tragic heroes, he falls because of his own choices and pride.
To wrap up, in “Paradise Lost, Book 1,” Satan is clearly the main and most active character. He shows many heroic qualities like courage, leadership, and a strong will. He inspires others and stands tall in defeat. But his cause is evil, and his pride leads him to destruction. So, Satan is not a true hero—he is a false or tragic hero. Milton shows that outer greatness without goodness is dangerous.