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People are blind; we sometimes are not able to even see what is directly in front of our own eyes because our nativity does not allow it. We want to believe in something so bad that even if the truth is right in front of us we ignore it in favour of the situation that better meets our personal believes. We cannot just simply see things for what they are and we read too much into things. It is a common misconception that Milton’s Satan in “Paradise Lost” is actually the hero. People believe this for the simple reason that we can relate to him more so than we can relate to the omnificent god. Satan is portrayed with human virtues and values: defiance, anger, arrogance, and regret. God is nearly impossible to relate to in Paradise Lost because he is perfect and we can’t sympathise with this. Satan is an archangel that falls from grace due to his jealously of god’s son. He convinces one third of the angels to follow him in his rebellion. In the development of Milton’s Satan we see into his heart and soul, we see the reasons behind the choices that he makes and we are able to see his inner struggles, which ultimately allow us to identify with him. Satan, hot form the passion of war states, “Better to reign in Hell than serve in heaven”. (Book 1, line 263) This shows the arrogance of Satan. He has lost something that was truly good and he is trying to justify his decision. We later see moments of regret. “One step no more than from himself can fly By change of place: now conscience wakes despair That slumbered, wakes the bitter memory Of what he was, what is, and what must be Worse; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue.” (Book 4, lines 22-26) Satan cannot escape what he has become and knows that this is just he beginning, things are still worse to come.
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