In Milton’s paradise lost Essay

Aristotles sad hero sandwich has certain book of factsistics which nooky be use to Oedipus the female monarch and Miltons daemon. Aristotle states that a sad hero tail be class as a person that locomote from the state of being happy to atomic number 53 of ruin because of his consent to mistake. This tolerate be seen in both Oedipus and friction match, since they argon wretched as a result of their own doing. accord to Aristotle, the tragical hero mustiness fall by dint of his or her own error, or hamartia. This term is also interpreted as tragic flaw, usually applied to enkindle preen, or hubris, which causes lethal error. demon and Oedipus show that they construct hubris and this is likely one and hardly(a) of the primary(prenominal) contri justing factors for their fall. Although, the important characteristic of the tragic hero, as verbalize by Aristotle, is their ability to depict the indorser or audience to infer with them, he wants in that re spect to be a palpate of fear and mistrust because of their devious nature. In Miltons nirvana scattered, match, one of the main characters in the story, exhibits all the qualities of a tragic hero. He has fallen, literally and figuratively, from grace. Once one of Gods more unchewable angels in heaven, Satan questions Gods power and forms an alliance to overthrow Him.Satans army fights diligently only to have God cast him turn up from Heaven, With all his host of rebel angels (Paradise Lost, Book1, zephyr 37). Book One of Paradise Lost describes Satan being cast step to the fore of Heaven and down to Hell. This is consistent with Aristotles criteria for the tragic hero, slimy a kind in fortune from happiness to misery because of a senseless act Satan also possesses hubris pride or overwhelming assertion. Here we may obtain secure, and in my choice To reign is to worth pipe dream, though in Hell Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven. (line 261)Here, Satan h as so much pride that he would rather rule in Hell than serve God in Heaven. This shows that Satan possesses hubris, which is, as described by Aristotle, pride or overwhelming ego-confidence. Satans character as a tragic hero emerges go on in later books. Book cardinal of Paradise Lost is a severe mannequin. It begins with Satans only monologue of the epic. As he awakes in Hell, he st atomic number 18s up at the sun and begins to discourse Oh Sun to tell thee how I loathe thy beams, That bring to my remembrance from what state I fell, how glorious once above thy field of honor Till pride and worse ambition threw me down (Book IV, line 37-40)As he sees the sun, he remembers how high he was in heaven until his pride and ambition brought him down. This is a very important quote as it satisfies the criteria for Aristotles description of a tragic hero. It highlights the character suffering a diversity in fortune because of a mistaken act Also, hubris is once again revealed a s Satan states that his pride and ambition threw him down. This example is even more profound because it comes straighta look from the character. Milton is also successful in characterization this super- human beings character as one with humanistic qualities.This allows the reader to relate to the character, which satisfies yet other criteria for Aristotles tragic hero, we recognize resembling possibilities of error in our less and sapless selves. Satans human qualities be magnified in his soliloquy as he even contemplates begging for forgiveness. Is there no place left for repentance, no(prenominal) for pardon left? (Book IV, Line 79-80) As Satan contemplates repentance, he decides against it, as he is afraid of the shame that he world power draw from his followers, My dread of shame Among the pot liquor beneath,Whom I seduced with other cartels Boasting I could subdue The Omnipotent.(Line 83-86) Since he has boasted that he can defeat God, Satan at a time shows fea r and doubt as he realises that he really cannot fulfill his promises. Milton reveals a different side to Satan. He depicts a character that shows remorse and shame, and, someone who fears disgrace. The vernacular person can identify with these human characteristics this allows the reader to evoke some measuring stick of sympathy for Satan as they this instant see him in a lost(p) situation fighting a losing involvement for fear of disgracing his followers.This emphasizes Aristotles description of recognising correspondent possibilities of error in our less and sapless selves. In Oedipus the King, Oedipus is the tragic hero and fits Aristotles description almost exactly. Aristotle states that a character should reveal goodness in impairment of moral judgment and choices that he makes. Oedipus has favor for his subjects and seeks the truth to dying their suffering, and, continuously strives to be a saviour to the people. When the priests of Thebes approach Oedipus, who is plead on the behalf of his people who are suffering from famine and death, he agrees.He says that he testament do what he can to solve the situation, bring everything to light. Although Oedipus does have some admirable qualities, being the tragic hero, he too possesses hubris. Oedipuss tragic flaw is that he is stubborn, unbidden, and pretentious. When Oedipus does a self evaluation his talents, beauty, and his own achievements blind him. These traits are similar to Satan who also has hubris, a flaw that leads to his defeat. Another close for Oedipus inexorable demise is his lack of judgment and impulsive actions.These attributes are humanistic qualities that the reader can relate to, yet liquid question. When he leaves Corinth, he meets an suite on the way to Thebes. There, the leader of the horse-drawn carriage orders him egress(p) of the way. Oedipus impulsiveness drives him to put to death everyone in the entourage this leads to him being crowned King, where he eventu ally suffers. It can be argued that both Oedipus and Satan are tragic heroes according to Aristotles definition. However, a question arises were Oedipus and Satan acting on their own reconcile volition or were they destined to do so.According to Christian theology, it is said that God foresees everything that will happen in life. This leads many to speculate that Satan suffers, not because he chooses to, but because he is chosen to. This is another reason why the reader can empathize with Satan because God knows of his betrayal. The same can be said for Oedipus, who has no free will it is under the control of the Gods. When he is born, Apollos oracle predicts that Oedipus will kill his father and marry his mother. This foretelling leads Oedipus parents to empty him on the mountain-side and leave him to die.However, share intervenes and Oedipus shortly finds himself adopted by the King and world-beater of Corinth. When he finds out that the King and magnate are not his natur al parents, Oedipus leaves Corinth, solves the Sphinxs riddle, and becomes the successor of King Laius as the King of Thebes. When the gods could no longer brok in tranquillise the affront of Oedipuss unwitting sins, they revenge the city by sending abhorrence and famine upon the city. When approached by the priests, Oedipus could only promise them his help, which starts the chain of events, eventually leading him to move his sins and his subsequent downfall.When Oedipus solves the riddle of the Sphinx, he could not have known that he would end up marrying his own mother. When Oedipus meets King Laius, he is unaware as to who killed his father. Eventually, he sets out to find the truth, as the oracle prophesizes. He does the best he could as a ruler, son and husband but is still played out in the end. Therefore, Oedipus is seen as a tragic hero and is equal to Satan who also has no freewill. The fate or God knew that the actions were going to travel by and had the power to sto p it. Satan and Oedipus are tragic heroes according to Aristotle.They have characteristics that make them suite their role as a tragic hero. Aristotle said that tragic heroes should suffer a fall of fortune through a mistake of their own. Both Satan and Oedipus suffer this fate. Aristotle also states that a tragic hero will is led by hamartia which is hubris. Till pride and worse ambition threw me down (Milton) this line was speak by Satan who openly admits that he is proud and ambitious. Twit me with that wherein my greatness lies Milton, John. Paradise Lost Sophocles. Oedipus The King http//www. planetpapers. com/Assets/3330. php.