In Paradise Lost by Milton, Satan plays both the epic hero and the villain. Since Satan is the only point of view (other than God above) that witnesses all of these early scenes, he must be transformed into the hero for the first few books. However, his villainous ways make their appearance in the later books.
             Milton begins the poem in media res and gives Satan the first scene. This makes him the first empathetic character. The picture of Satan in the first two books characterizes him as an unforgettable and understandable hero. Satan's initial introduction is memorable: he rises off the lake of fire and delivers a "magnificent" speech challenging God. The monologue that initially gains the reader's sympathy with Satan occurs just after he has assembled all his fallen troops. It is here that Satan's feelings for his "associates and copartners" seems most genuine. Before, he seemed like a commanding general, harshly reproaching his followers to "awake, arise, or be forever fallen" and then telling them that his "heart distends with pride, and hardening in his strength glories" (1484). His heart seems much softer in the later passage, where he chokes on his words. Satan tells the troops that they can make " a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n (255) and also "Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heav'n" (263). These positive elements, along with his positions as the little guy and point of view character, act together to arouse the reader's sympathies for Satan. The book I and II present Satan as a heroic figure by making him greater than he is and giving his point of view.
             By undertaking a journey with specific tests along the way and the way Satan talks, rather than fights, his way through them confirms Satan's role as an epic hero. Satan overcomes his first obstacle by appealing to the monsters' greed, offering to bring them to earth, where they will be fed and where all things will be their prey. Sin, one of three femal...