Satan is the most human character because he is not purely evil: he is considered a cruel creature for not behaving the way God wants him to. Satan did not approve God’s dictatorship on Heaven, just like Milton and other Puritans despised the idea of a monarchy lead by King Charles I, who claimed to be God’s own representative on Earth. Puritans, by the time of the English Civil War, were imposed a different religion and lifestyle from that which they believed and were persecuted by the king’s allies for not agreeing to this – the main reasons for them to rebel against this system. Satan and other angels also fought against God wishing a different administration of their world, in the same way humans would do. For having his own reasons, and not acting out of wicked desire, this character of Satan can be interpreted as having human characteristics.
Bearing in mind that the 17th century art was greatly influenced by the Renaissance, it is important to note how Satan has features usually related to the hero of an epic history. He is a type of warrior who stands up to what can be seen as an unfair system (God’s authoritarianism) and the main character through whom the reader follows the story at the beginning. However, Satan fails in his fight – he was never able to win, but he was stubborn and proud enough to try it anyway, just like Greek tragic characters act when thinking they can overcome a prophecy. Therefore, it is possible to understand Milton’s Satan as a tragic hero, and not as a villain like he is usually portrayed.
Elizabeth Pereira 