Heroic in Paradise Lost by John Lost Essay - 1637 Words

The theme of the heroic in John Miltons Paradise Lost is one that has often been the focus of critical debate, namely in the debate surrounding which character is the true hero of the poem. Most critics of the subject have, however, noted that the difficultly in defining the hero of Miltons work is mainly due to our â€Å"vague understanding of what constitutes heroism†1 and the fact that â€Å"the term itself is equivocal†2. The vague terming of what heroism can be defined as it what draws critics to disagree with one another over the nature of heroism, as Charles Martindale points out that there are different models of heroic, many of which Milton employs in his epic poem. To incorporate these different models of the heroic into his†¦show more content†¦As Satan later claims, â€Å"To reign is worth ambition .. /Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.† (PL, I: 262-63, p.156) His statement suggests that his fatal flaw might be his ambition, his de sire to become even more powerful than he once was. This image of Satan having a fatal flaw, something that drives him into destruction, connects him with the idea of Aristotles hamartia, and connects him to the imagery of the other a good person who has fallen from grace, but is nonetheless a hero. Satan is also connected to Aristotles idea that â€Å"heroic virtue is superhuman, godlike, and divine†5, when he is described to be â€Å"stretched out huge in length† (PL, I: 209, p.155) across the lake, further imprinting the image of his heroic status. However, modern critics have begun to criticise the conclusions of the Romantics, claiming that the notion of Satan as a reflection of a classical hero can only be accepted when studying the first two books of Miltons poem. During the course of the poem the superhuman, godlike image of Satan deteriorates. John Peter, in his study of Satan, quotes C. S. Lewis, who claims that Satans character moves from â€Å"hero to general, from general to politician, from politician to secret service agent, and thence to a thing that peers in at bedroom and bathroom windows, and thence to a toad, and finally a snake†6. C. S. Lewiss detailing of Satans various images gives aShow MoreRelatedSatan As A Hero And A Villain916 Words   |  4 PagesSatan as a Hero and a Villain (Analysis of Satan in John Milton’s Paradise Lost) John Milton created Paradise Lost out of twelve books of well constructed poetry. A poem depicting and going into detail of the story of Adam and Eve, man’s creation and fall. 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