Satan And Heroism Essay, Research Paper

Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines hero as the principal male

personage, usually of noble character in a poem, story, drama, or the like

regarded as a model. Milton’s Paradise Lost presents the reader with characters

that could be considered models as heroes. Satan, or Lucifer, qualifies for this

distinction. In Paradise Lost, Satan, God’s favorite, is cast out of heaven.

Lucifer had to be outstanding at one point in time in order to share in God’s

grace. Only Lucifer’s choice, in line 39 "To set himself in glory above his

peers," committed him to a fall from grace. Satan must have possessed

character attributes fit for a king to be held in such high esteem by God. Only

through pride and self-conceit did Lucifer earn God’s wrath. For example, in

line 84, Beelzebub says, "If thou beest he… but O how fallen! how changed

From him, who in the happy realms of light Clothed with transcendent brightness

didst outshine Myriads though bright–." The key here is "how

changed," denotes both "good" and "bad" traits with

emphasis on "good" at one time. Satan displays how easy it is to be

"good" and receive God’s grace, thus denoting Satan’s choice in trying

to capture God. It is difficult to look upon Satan as "good" but by

Satan’s choosing to defy God and his kingdom, it implies that Satan does indeed

have a "good" side to his character and the aspect of choice, whether

good or bad, is irrelevant to the differing sides of Satan’s character. Only the

absence of choice would make someone inherently good or bad. As a result of

Satan being revered by God, and his ability to make his own decisions, these

characteristics asist to portray aspects of heroism in Lucifer?s character.