Characteristics Of Satan's Transformation In Paradise Lost

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Paradise Lost Final Essay
John Milton 's Epic, Paradise Lost contains a plethora of character development; which is one of the reasons it is such a renowned poem. The complexity of Milton 's characters, in combination with an intricate plot, propels the reader into a multifaceted journey in which they observe a motley crowd of characters grow and develop. Satan 's transformation is one of the most drastic in Paradise Lost. Throughout the poem, Satan regresses from God’s right hand man, to the devil on Adam and Eve’s shoulder; convincing the sinless humans to contravene God’s one law, and eat the forbidden fruit.
In the beginning of Book 1, Milton starts off the Poem with an invocation, saying “Of man 's first disobedience..... Sing Heav’nly …show more content…

After he finishes his story, him as well as all his subjects are turned into snakes. Satan 's unwilling transformation demonstrates that his power is lost. He is damned eternally by God to stay in either Heaven or Hell, he is no longer powerful enough to have a place in Heaven. Satan’s fall from grace is observed in his body as well as his mind, for the exterior reflects the interior. His transformation into a lowly serpent shows his degraded mind, for he believed destroying God 's creation would restore his pride. Psalm 10:4 says “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” Satan 's pride causes him to forget God’s grace, causing him to destroy his body as well as his mind. The Devil has compromised his relationship with God, and shows no sign of remorse. “Once a powerful angel, he has become blinded to God’s grace, forever unable to reconcile his past with his eternal punishment.(Shmoop editorial team).” Satan forgets the Glory of heaven that he once lived in, he forgets God’s grace, and damns himself to eternal punishment. In the story of Satan, pride quite literally comes before the

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