Individual Freedom Satan does not want to serve anyone not even God He believes in his own freedom He says that it is better to be free in Hell than to serve in Heaven Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heav n This line shows the Renaissance love of freedom and strong individual will Satan wants to be free even if it means pain He follows his own path Human Spirit Mind Renaissance thinkers believed in the greatness of the human mind spirit In Milton s Paradise Lost Book I Satan shows this spirit Even after defeat he does not lose hope He speaks to the other fallen angels and tries to make them fight against God again He says All is not lost the unconquerable Will And courage never to submit or yield Satan shows strong willpower just like Renaissance heroes Use of Classical Learning Milton uses many classical references from Greek and Roman myths in Book I For example he compares the fallen angels to Titans who fought against the gods in Greek mythology He compares Satan to a giant sea monster Leviathan He writes Leviathan hugest that swim th' Ocean stream This monster is from classical myth By using this comparison Milton shows how huge and powerful Satan looks even in defeat This use of classical learning shows his Renaissance education and deep knowledge Reformation Ideas in Milton The Reformation was a religious movement that started in the early th century It protested against the corruption in the Roman Catholic Church In England it led to the rise of the Protestant Church This movement valued people s direct connection with God through the Bible It also valued free will and spiritual freedom Milton supported these Reformation ideas We find these Reformation ideas in his poem God s Justice and Free Will Milton shows God as just and fair He does not force anyone to obey Even Satan had the freedom to choose This shows the Reformation idea of free will and personal responsibility People are not puppets they must choose good or evil Bible as the Main Source In Paradise Lost Milton's story comes from the Bible especially the story of Genesis He writes about the beginning of sin and the fall of Satan He writes Of man s first disobedience Brought death into the world and all our woe Milton believed people should read the Bible and think deeply This idea comes from the Reformation which gave importance to personal study of scripture holy writings of a religion In conclusion in Paradise Lost Book I Milton shows both Renaissance and Reformation ideas Satan shows pride ambition and a strong mind which reflect the Renaissance The themes of free will and justice reflect the Reformation Milton believed in freedom both human and spiritual So we can say that Milton was truly a trailblazer of both the Renaissance and the Reformation