PSA: Paradise Has Been Found!!!

       Milton’s portrayal of Satan is not what someone who knows nothing about Paradise Lost may expect. Although his evil is acknowledged, the author focuses, possibly unintentionally, on Satan’s feelings and character as a whole. In book one of Paradise Lost, Satan reveals his feelings about his broken ties with his father and shows much grieving over the fact, “Be it so, since He Who now is sovran can dispose and bid what shall be right fardest from Him is best, whom reason hath equaled, force hath made supreme above his equals,” (Milton 242-270). Preceding this quote made by Satan, he continues to grieve over all that he has lost by leaving Heaven. The melancholy tone draws the reader in and makes those who read it sympathetic towards Satan. However, the tone shifts from grieve to one of vengeance.  Although Milton may do this accidentally, the tone shift is what truly lures the reader in. This unique technique is still used in popular TV shows and movies today. Often times, people find themselves rooting for a character that may be doing something harmful to others. Dexter, the popular TV show, is just one example. The protagonist’s goal each episode is to murder a serial killer but leave absolutely no traces or clues for the police to find. Although Dexter is committing a crime himself, the viewers support his wrong doings because they put themselves in the same shoes as the protagonist and feel his longing for justice to be served. Similarly, the readers root for Satan because from the very beginning of Paradise Lost, the protagonist is developed in a way that makes us feel sorry for him. Satan’s sadness about the broken ties with his father draw sympathy from the reader and thus make us support his want to seek out revenge.