Milton's presentation of evil through Satan Poppy May Buels 12th Grade

Throughout book 9 of Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’, Satan is generally presented as the personification of evil, largely fuelled by Milton’s own religious grounding. This pure evil is conveyed by Milton though Satan’s innate drive to destroy mankind and his manipulation and seduction of Eve. Although Milton adopts the traditional presentation of Satan, he also subtly suggests that Satan has a potential for good which is seen through his intense appreciation of Eve when he sees her for the first time.

Milton presents different ideas about evilness by exploring Satan’s innate desire to cause the fall of mankind. As Satan laments about the restriction that has been put upon him by God, he speaks of how ‘only in destroying I find ease’. Satan’s blatant admittance of his desire to cause destruction strengthens his biblical presentation. This destructive force could be considered innate because it brings Satan ‘ease’, suggesting he is in discomfort when he isn’t the cause of destruction. Similarly, Satan explains how he would rather make the world a more miserable place than make himself happier; ‘hope to be myself less miserable by what I seek, but others to make such’. Satan’s triviality is clearly seen here as the evil that resonates...