Epic Characteristics of Paradise Lost Essay - 770 Words

Epic Characteristics of Paradise Lost Paradise Lost is one of the finest examples of epic tradition in all of literature. In composing this work, John Milton was, for the most part, following in the manner of epic poets of past centuries. By knowing the background of epic characteristics and conventions, it is easy to trace their presence in Book I of Paradise Lost. One of the biggest questions that a reader must face is that of the hero; exactly who is the epic hero in the poem? While Satan may not be the hero of Paradise Lost, Milton quickly establishes him as its main character, and as the most complex and detailed of Miltons descriptions. Satan is given many traditional attributes as an epic hero. Although he may†¦show more content†¦Milton also opens his narrative in medias res; he begins by asking how Adam and Eve could have fallen. Who could have caused it? And then we meet an already fallen Satan; it is in Book VI that the War in Heaven which caused Satans fall is actually described. Milton also invokes a Muse in his poem. Sing, Heavenly Muse, that on the secret top of Oreb, of Sinai, didst inspire (line 6 7). This Muses job was to inspire and instruct him, as was traditional. Along with a Muse, Milton includes a catalog of the fallen angels for his readers in lines 376 through 505. He also provided us with extended formal speeches by the main characters: for example in lines 84-124 is a speech directed to Heaven from Satan over how he refuses to accept defeat. It is on the basis of the eloquence and power of some of the speeches that much of the claim for Satans position as hero is based. Finally, Milton makes frequent use of the epic simile. There are four major examples in Book I. The first is the simile of what seems to be a sea monster. Thus Satan talking to his nearest mate with head uplift above the wave†¦ (lines 192+). The second simile is the autumnal leaves. Of that inflamed sea he stood, and called His legions, angel forms, who lay entranced, thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks†¦ (lines 300+) The sun makes up the third simile. Of glory obscured: as when the sunShow MoreRelatedJohn Milton s Paradise Lost And Alexander Pope s The Rape Of The Lock1220 Words   |  5 PagesEpic conventions are things that most epic poems have in common. They are not always identical, but they have common characteristics. Examples of epic conventions are a hero or individual that is beneficial in some way to a community, a journey in which the narrative takes the reader to different regions, and supernatural forces. 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Mary Shelley s Frankenstein 1520 Words   |  7 PagesAllusions to Paradise Lost in Frankenstein In the classic gothic novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley creates numerous allusions, or references to another work, to John Milton’s epic, Paradise Lost. Allusions can be interpreted differently by each individual, and do not have absolute meanings. They are indirect, which means that the author does not specifically mention the book or epic that he or she is referencing to. Though in Frankenstein, Mary Shelley directly mentions Milton’s Paradise Lost at one pointRead MoreSatan as a Hero Essay1433 Words   |  6 PagesJohn Milton’s Paradise Lost is an epic poem that describes the fall of Satan and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. Satan is the protagonist of Paradise Lost and has several characteristics in which readers may identify with him. Throughout the poem, Satan is not only a tragic hero but also the key character that drives the plot and portrays many flawed human qualities. 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