Searching for a Hero in Paradise Lost

Enrique STYLE!

…Or Joseph Campbell Style.

Hero CycleHero Cycle

An Archetype…

An original model or type

upon which other similar works of literature are patterned; a prototype.

Epic Hero

•Appealing characters who make mistakes.

•They are characters who enjoy prosperity and favor.

•They are inhibited by a character flaw.

A Quote to Consider…

“Towards him they bendWith awful reverence prone and as GodExtol him equal to the highest in

heaven”

Does this quote imply that Satan enjoys

prosperity and favor? What might his

character flaw be?

With Monarchical Pride…

Call to Adventure

Paradise LostApplying the

“Boon”

Trials (tested and initiated)

Physical, Mental, Emotional

Achieving the Goal or “Boon”

Hero’s JourneyHero’s Journey

Return to Ordinary world

Crossing of the Threshold

Move from known to unknown

THE CALL TO ADVENTURE

The Hero…

• Receives a sign or call.

• Usually forced into action.

• Has a CHOICE… BUT

if hero if hero refuses the callrefuses the call……

He/She is then burdened with a cursed life.

How would Satan’s life be cursed if he refuses?

Generally, a hero ANSWERS the COA for one of the following reasons…

•A death of a beloved family member.

•Following a respected role model.

•Being inspired by the good deeds of someone involved in the quest.

•Understanding he/she must fulfill his destiny.

What was Satan’s motivation for answering the call?

Crossing the first threshold

•Moving from the known… to the unknown.

•Transition into the world of adventure.

•Hero can’t turn back.

What is Satan’s threshold?

The Gates of Hell and ChaosScary She-Beasts!

Named Sin and Death…

They are actually Satan’s daughters. How appropriate!

Trials

Tests, Allies, Enemies

Stand in the way of quest fulfillment.

Test the hero’s loyalty and abilities.

Trials Can Be…

•physical challenges

•emotional or spiritual temptations

•mental tests

A Map of Satan’s Journey

Is this a Physical Challenge?

Does it look like Satan is going through emotional trials?

The Bridge over Chaos

Gates of Hell

Earth… and eventually Heaven

Achieving the Boon

The Ultimate Payoff…

Attainment of goal.

NOT SO QUICK…

• Approach to inmost cave…getting close to the initial goal.

• Supreme ordealHero is tested and survives.

• RewardHero takes something out of adventure.

Return to Ordinary World

Road Back

Hero starts back to ordinary world.

Resurrection

Final confrontation with enemy in the way of goal.

Return with the elixir

Hero completes journey and brings back what is needed to the home tribe.

Satan Returns to

Hell.

Applying the Boon

How could Satan apply the Boon?Is there anything to be gained?

How does Batman apply the Boon?

Assessing this Epic Hero

• What are some strengths of the argument that Satan is the epic hero of Paradise Lost?

• What are some weaknesses of this argument?

• Based on your own knowledge and Paradise Lost, does Satan win? More importantly, does an epic hero have to be the ultimate victor?