Milton Paradise Lost

             Milton's Depiction of the Serpent as Satan
             John Milton's use of the serpent to represent the evil of Satan captures the depth and detail that is implied in the Bible pertaining to the Beast that is Satan. (Rev 12:3-18, 13: 1-8)
             Milton first introduced the reader to the character Satan, the representative of all evil, and his allegiance of fallen angels that aided in his revolt against God (Milton 35). Only later did Milton introduce the reader to all powerful God, leader and creator of all mankind . This introduction of Satan first led the reader to believe acts of sin were good, just like Eve felt in the Garden of Eden when she was enticed by Satan, as a serpent to eat the fruit off of the Tree of Knowledge (Milton 255). The Bible does not share this view of "good" sin. " Though I say to the virtuous man that he shall surely live, if he then presumes on his virtue and does wrong, none of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered; because of the wrong he has done, he shall die"(Ezekiel 33:12)
             The later introduction of The Almighty had the readers change their feelings towards sin, as the ways of God were introduced to them and these ways were shown to be the way to feel and believe. This levy of good vs. evil carried on throughout the poem with the interaction of Satan and his fallen angels with God and his son in Heaven. " The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it" (Rev. 12:9) One common representation of sin and evil came from the lead character in the battle against God, Satan. His name means "enemy of God." He was a former high angel from Heaven named Lucifer, meaning, "light bearer" (John). However, in Paradise Lost, Milton uses light to represent God, not Satan, who is described with much darkness. Satan seems to be only interested in worshipping himself. &quo...

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Milton Paradise Lost. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 10:05, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/100290.html