This epic book is "Paradise Lost" by John Milton.
During High School (liceo classico) I read epic poems, as Odyssey and Aeneid and parts of other italian epic poems written between XVI and XVII centuries, so I was familiar with that genre and with the writing style. Anyway, it stroke my attention.
The main character in this poem is Satan, the fallen angel who challenged God and wanted to reign in Heaven.
I would like to analyze two parts of this poem, which, in my opinion, highlight the ability of the author in building a perfect round character, without falling into banal.
<< […] Here at least
we shall be free; the Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
to reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.>>
we shall be free; the Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
to reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.>>
•Book I, 258-263)
<< […] Me miserable! Which way shall I fly
Infinite wrath, and infinite despair?
Which way I fly is Hell; myself am Hell;
And, in the lowest deep, a lower deep
Still threatening to devour me opens wide,
To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heaven.>>
•Book IV, 73–78
Infinite wrath, and infinite despair?
Which way I fly is Hell; myself am Hell;
And, in the lowest deep, a lower deep
Still threatening to devour me opens wide,
To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heaven.>>
•Book IV, 73–78
In the first passage, Satan tries to convince the other fallen angels that Paradise is lost for sure for them, but that there is still something "positive": they're finally free, what he considers a tyranny has come to an end.
Milton displays Satan as the Romantic hero, the one who can't bear any kind of oppression and who wants to build his own destiny. He is aware of his strength and power and he isn't afraid of facing God, his laws and his power.
The Romantic hero has also a "dark" side, full of hesitations and doubts. In fact, in the second passage, we can see a fearful hero, who is no more sure about what he has planned to do. It seems that he regrets his first speech: "myself am Hell" is a strong expression, which darkens his pride, which shows his internal fight between good and evil.
The Milton's Satan is not only an angel, but a man, with his fears, his vices and virtues, his darker side and his conscience.
I love this book, because there is not only the Biblic story, but something more, something that makes you meditate on.
See you soon
Yours, Silvia
The Romantic hero has also a "dark" side, full of hesitations and doubts. In fact, in the second passage, we can see a fearful hero, who is no more sure about what he has planned to do. It seems that he regrets his first speech: "myself am Hell" is a strong expression, which darkens his pride, which shows his internal fight between good and evil.
The Milton's Satan is not only an angel, but a man, with his fears, his vices and virtues, his darker side and his conscience.
I love this book, because there is not only the Biblic story, but something more, something that makes you meditate on.
See you soon
Yours, Silvia
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