A tragedy can come in a variety of forms, but is usually the end result of an imperfection
             that the protagonist cannot overcome, a tragic flaw. In John Milton's poem, Paradise
             Lost, Satan succumbs to his own vaulting ambition to be equal in power and glory to
             God. As a result of this perverse ambition, his actions lead to the greatest tragedy ever,
             the downfall of numerous angels and the race of mankind. Satan, however, is not
             concerned with the fact that he is responsible for the loss of paradise both in heaven and
             on earth, in fact, in his opinion it is "Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n" (Milton
             I.263). Although this flaw signifies the beginning of the tragedy, according to Aristotle
             the main emphasis is to display unyielding courage against overwhelming odds:
             In drama, a play in verse or prose which depicts the downfall of a
             protagonist who is noble and elevated in status yet moves from happiness
             to misery because of an error in judgment or a character flaw. A
             revelation of human strivings and aspirations, tragedy arouses fear and
             pity, yet its purpose is to celebrate the courage and dignity of the human
             spirit in the face of defeat (Aristotle)
             Satan certainly fits this description because his courage never subsides, even when it
             becomes clear that he and his followers face looming destruction at the hands of God.
             This bravery sets him apart from his fellow, fallen angels and is what makes him the
             tragic hero, rather than just the instigator of a tragedy. As a result of his tragic flaw,
             ambition, Satan falls from Heaven to an eternal and inescapable Hell, yet his courage
             remains resolute, and therefore he becomes the tragic hero in Paradise Lost.
             Lucifer, like all tragic heroes according to Aristotle, begins existence very
             powerful and elevated in status. Prior to the arrival of Christ, Lucifer serves directly
             under God and his power and magnificence...