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Epic Characteristics of Paradise Lost Essay

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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 Milton's 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 Satan's 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 Muse's 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 Satan's 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 sun

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