Abstract:The scholars all over the world have studied Satan- the main character of Paradise Lost for a long time. Over three hundred years, different critics have explained the imaginary epic man as the embodiment of sin or the hero of epic poetry，typical puritan revolutionist or insinuation of the King CharlesⅠwho was death by judicial hanging. In most of the works and thesises on Milton’s Paradise Lost, Satan was almost considered as the key character rounding by the whole epic's developing plot, and was also the most successful character shaped by Milton. Nowadays, there are tremendous amount of vast and an immense number of related works and articles, most of which focus on one character of the epic--Satan. The study of Satan, especially its heroic spirit has directly influenced readers' views to other characters, and the understanding of work’s main idea. This thesis aims to study Satan's heroic spirit and spirit of resistance under the influence of English literature from the cognitive perspective. At the same time, this thesis holds the view that the right analysis of Satan's personality has the crucial adjective influence on how to appreciate this great epic of Milton.

Keywords:   Paradise Lost; Satan; epic

Contents

中文摘要

Abstract

Chapter 1 Introduction-1

1.1 Milton and “Paradise Lost” -1

1.2 Literary Tradition in “Paradise Lost”-2

Chapter 2 Satan’s Personality-5

2.1 Devil with Changeable Appearance-5

2.2 Persuasive in Temptation-6

Chapter 3 Heroic Spirit-9

3.1 The Pagan Warrior Figure-9

3.2 Satan’s Humanism-10

Chapter 4 Conclusion-13

References-14

Acknowledgements-15