Satan as a Hero in Paradise Lost

Andrea Nikić
Dr.sc Anđelka Raguž
Survey of English Literature I
January 22, 2015

Rebel Yell

Heroism is a common feature in epic poetry, indeed, expected. Considering Milton's Paradise Lost as an epic, this work should contain an epic hero. But can Satan, represented in Book I as a strong, courageous and unremitting figure, willing to start a war and defend his empire with his fellows, be hero? Neglecting the idea of Satan which is entrenched in us, he has virtues worthy of a hero. With these virtues not only he buys our sympathy than admiration too.
Paradise Lost begins in medias res. At the very beginning we are confronted with Satan's fall that cost him his glory. Lying with other fallen angels in such an utter darkness, it was to expect from them to give up on everything and live forever with never-ending pain. No sooner Satan finds himself in Hell, because of God's will he manages to free himself from chains. Why did God do that? Milton wants to "justify the ways of God to men" (26). Whatever Satan does, justice that underlies his actions will emerge on the surface by time. One of characteristics of a hero is to never give up, so Satan decides to make use of his situation. Encouraging words in his head inspire him, and at that point he realizes what he wants.

All is not lost-the unconquerable will,
And study of revenge, immortal hate,
And courage never submit or yield:
And what is else not to be overcome.
That glory never shall his wrath or might
Extort from me... (106-111)
New freedom that Satan gets in Hell enables him to become a hero: "Here at least / we shall be free" (258-9). Quest he is about to take shows his rebellious side, because fighting against even greater supremacy would not be possible if there is not enough craziness. Yes, Satan may seem to be out of his mind, but the first impression he leaves on us is admiration. Do we admire his foolishness? We admire his courageousness and his will. Satan does not want to let God see him as a fallen angel, suffering down where he put him. Instead, he rises again, and he rises for a reason: "Our labour must be to pervert that end / and out of good still to find means of evil" (164-5). For the war he wants to lead, he needs an army, and gathering an army seems to be no problem for him. What could be easier than persuading other fallen angels full of anger and hunger for revenge to join him? He just needs to choose right words, what he eventually does.
Of Hell resounded. Princes, Potentates,
Warriors, the flower of Heaven, once yours, now lost,
If such astonishment as this seize
......................................................
Transfix us to the bottom of this gulf.
Awake, arise, or be for ever fallen. (315-30)
We cannot deny Satan's oratory skills. This speech is worthy of a true hero, disregarding the fact that his plan is to do evil things. One hero must know how to encourage others, and as follows in the poem we can clearly see that he achieved that: "Down cast and damp, yet such wherein appeared/ Obscure some glimpse of joy, to have found their chief" (523-4). He could not believe that they still want to follow him, even though they had to go through all this "hell". Satan feels proud and satisfied, not only at himself but at his followers too.
Satan being a hero sounds very unlikely. But Milton's Satan is hero, and he wants us to know that. He is so big that we cannot even imagine. He has strength. He has army. He has power to rule the Hell. And most important, he finally has freedom and free will to do whatever he wants, in this case to fight against the Greatest.









BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Milton, John. Paradise Lost. England: Samuel Simmons, 1667. Print.











4