Milton/Satan in Paradise Lost

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A 5 page essay that discusses the character of Satan. An epic hero is traditionally an example of a culture's ideal man, that is, someone who embodies all of the virtues that a particular society esteems above all others. A tragic hero is quite similar, as he embodies noble virtues, but suffers downfall due to a tragic flaw. In John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost," the character of Satan combines these two literary conventions, offering readers one of the most psychologically complex and fascinating characters in all of literature. Examination of the way in which Milton develops the character of Satan reveals the insidious and corrupting nature of evil, as Milton describes the devolution of the once beautiful angel Lucifer into the despicable grotesque that is Satan. No additional sources cited.