Comparing the View of Satan in Miltons Paradise Lost with Contemporary

Comparing the View of Satan in Milton's Paradise Lost with Contemporary Views of Satan In Milton's classic epic poem Paradise Lost the reader gains a judicious and even controversial vision of Satan as the protagonist of the epic. This is in direct contrast with our current idea and opinion of Satan as the leading nominal of evil and darkness. In Milton's Paradise Lost the Prince of Darkness is our hero. Perhaps not in the true sense of the word, but rather, he is the character that the reader is able to understand. The reader can see the "human" in the fallen angel, Lucifer. Satan and his seemingly righteous battle with God are the focus of the novel. He questions the orders from one who seems to be an overbearing dictator, an oppressive boss, (our Lord and Creator) God, and is, in the ensuing period, removed from Heaven. Satan is not portrayed as the embodiment of evil, but instead as a dauntless rebel. Satan rapidly gains a following of demons and dark angels who are drawn to his dynamic nature and ways. In his new-found home of Hell, Satan and his masses begin, to question what can be done to somehow gain control of Heaven, or at least get back at it. It is at this point that we are exposed to Satan's good qualities. The newly crowned Lord of Hell is given all the qualities of a great leader. Satan is influential, courageous, determined, and intellectual. This characterization further endears Satan to the readers. Satan is the protagonist in this novel, not God. Satan is shown in a positive light at every opportunity while God is shown in, not necessarily a negative light but simply not as a positive position. This role and image reversal is critical in Paradise Lost as Satan can be interpreted in a new fashion. .. ...iafra wrote a song entitled "Holiday in Cambodia", which included the verse: Well you'll work harder with a gun in your back For a bowl of rice a day Slave for soldiers till you starve Then your head is skewered on a stake Now you can go where people are one Now you can go where they get things done What you need, my son? Is a holiday in Cambodia Where you'll do what you're told A holiday in Cambodia Where the slum's got so much soul. Bibliography: Berdeja, Cesar. "Francis Ford Coppola's Interpretation of Dracula as a Love Story" April 9, 2002 Biafra, Jello. "Holiday in Cambodia" Give me convenience OR give me death. LP. Alternative Tentacles Records, 1986. Milton, John. Paradise Lost. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam Inc., 1968 "Pol Pot." April 9, 2002 Rodgers, Blake. "Satan and Colonization" April 8, 2002