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English A1 Ee
| Extended Essay | How are John Milton’s views presented through the character of Satan in the epic poem ‘’Paradise Lost’’? | | | |

Candidate Name: Yao Li
Candidate number: 000322-061
Word Count: 3977
Essay Subject: English
Supervisor: Mr. Young

Contents
Title page……………………………………………………………………………………..1
Contents………………………………………………………………………………………2
Abstract……………………………...……………………………………………………….3
Introduction…………………………………………………………………..……………...4
Body-
The Introduction of Satan…………………………………………………………………...5
Satan’s Fall……………………………………………………………………………………8
Satan: What is being presented? …………………………………………………………13
Conclusion………..………………………………………………………………………...14
Works Cited………………………………………………………………………..……….16

Abstract

This essay will address the question: ‘’How are John Milton’s views presented through the character of Satan in the epic poem ‘’Paradise Lost’’?’’ by focusing on Milton’s initial portrayal of Satan’s glory as a rebel leader in book I, his political prowess in book II, as well as Satan’s eventual fall, in terms of character, in book IV. This essay will analyze the characterization of Milton’s character of Satan and how this character of such sly heroism presented his personal views and beliefs. Satan’s initial presentation in books I and II in comparison to his supposed ‘’self-hating’’ soliloquy in book IV will be analyzed in terms of what Milton is trying to accomplish through this change of heart. Also, this essay will study the writing styles of Milton and how he utilised his voice as a narrator to suppress Satan’s voice throughout the poem and what this signifies for the character. These goals will be achieved through the assessment of critiques by Waldock and the interpretations as well as notes by Grace and Wheeler. This essay concludes that Milton shows, through Satan, his views regarding society itself. His views regarding the corruption within the political system, his Christian virtue of obedience, as well as the


Cited: "John Milton." Goodreads. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Jan. 2013. "Life of John Milton (1608-1674) [Milton Biography]." Life of John Milton (1608-1674) [Milton Biography]. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Jan. 2013. Milton, John, and Philip Pullman. Paradise Lost. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2005. Print. "Paradise Lost and Its Critics [Hardcover]." Paradise Lost and Its Critics: A. J. A Waldock: Amazon.com: Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Jan. 2013. "Paradise Lost By John Milton Critical Essays Major Themes in Paradise Lost." Paradise Lost: Critical Essays: Major Themes in Paradise Lost. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Jan. 2013. "Paradise Lost." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 07 Jan. 2013. "Paradise Lost." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 07 Jan. 2013. Steadman, John M. Milton 's Epic Characters. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, 1959. Print. "Welcome to The  Oliver Cromwell Website." The Oliver Cromwell Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Jan. 2013. Wheeler, Thomas. Paradise Lost and the Modern Reader. Athens: University of Georgia, 1974. Print.
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