Paradise Lost: Book 1 Characters
S
Satan
Protagonist
Proud
Clever
Brave
Vengeful
Satan is the main character of Paradise Lost, once a high-ranking angel in Heaven who was cast out for his pride and desire to be equal to God. He falls into Hell alongside other rebel angels and becomes their leader. Driven by revenge, he devises a plan to destroy God's new creation, mankind, rather than confront God directly.
G(
God (The Father)
Symbolic
Also known as: The Father
Omniscient
Omnipotent
Wise
Just
God is the all-knowing Creator of everything in Paradise Lost. He foresees Satan's rebellion and Man's fall, yet has a redemptive plan in place. He stands as the embodiment of truth, goodness, and divine authority throughout the poem.
TS
The Son
Supporting
Also known as: Jesus Christ
Loving
Obedient
Kind
Self-sacrificing
The Son is God's only Son and serves as a bridge between humanity and God. When Man falls into sin, he willingly offers his life to save them. He embodies both divine strength and boundless love throughout the poem.
A
Adam
Supporting
Strong
Wise
Innocent
Devoted
Adam is the first human being, created by God and placed in the Garden of Eden. He is given Eve as a companion and commanded not to eat from one forbidden tree. Choosing love for Eve over obedience to God, he eats the forbidden fruit and faces punishment, but ultimately repents and seeks forgiveness.
E
Eve
Supporting
Curious
Loving
Susceptible
Remorseful
Eve is the first woman, created from Adam's rib and his beloved companion in Eden. She is deceived by Satan into eating the forbidden fruit, driven by a desire for knowledge and power. After the fall she feels deep guilt, prays to God, and is punished but also given hope for the future.
B
Beelzebub
Supporting
Strategic
Loyal to Satan
Cunning
Influential
Beelzebub is Satan's second-in-command and closest advisor among the fallen angels. Once a high-ranking angel in Heaven, he fell alongside Satan and now helps organize the rebel forces in Hell. He advocates for corrupting and destroying God's new creation rather than engaging in direct warfare against God.
R
Raphael
Supporting
Holy
Caring
Wise
Obedient
Raphael is a loyal and holy angel dispatched by God to warn Adam and Eve about Satan's schemes. He recounts the story of Satan's rebellion and the war in Heaven to help humanity understand the dangers they face. He serves as a symbol of God's love and care for mankind.
M
Michael
Supporting
Brave
Strong
Warrior-like
Dutiful
Michael is one of God's greatest warrior angels, renowned for his strength and bravery in the war against Satan. He defeats many evil angels during the heavenly conflict. Later, God tasks him with expelling Adam and Eve from Eden while also teaching Adam that redemption remains possible even after sin.
M
Mulciber
Minor
Talented
Skilled
Fallen
Creative
Mulciber was once the finest architect in Heaven before his fall. In Hell, he applies his remarkable skills to construct Pandemonium, the grand golden palace that serves as Satan's capital. He represents the tragic waste of great talent turned toward evil ends.
M
Mammon
Minor
Greedy
Materialistic
Wealth-obsessed
Complacent
Mammon is a fallen angel whose love of gold and material wealth defined him even in Heaven, where he gazed at the golden floor rather than at God. In Hell, he advocates for making their domain comfortable rather than pursuing war against God. He embodies greed and the worship of material things over divine devotion.
M
Moloch
Minor
Violent
Aggressive
Bold
Warlike
Moloch is a fierce and violent fallen angel who passionately advocates for renewed open warfare against God. He believes aggressive action is preferable to passive suffering in Hell. His character represents brute force and reckless aggression unchecked by strategy or wisdom.
B
Belial
Minor
Lazy
Cowardly
Soft-spoken
Hopeless
Belial is a fallen angel who presents himself as calm and reasonable but is fundamentally lazy and without hope. He opposes war with God out of fear of further punishment and counsels the fallen angels to remain quietly in Hell. His outward peacefulness masks deep moral cowardice and despair.