The Draw of Satan Typically in classical litterature Satan is portrayed as the antagonist. In the Divine Comedy, for example, Dante leads the reader through a terrrifying portrayal of Hell. Each creature, a creation of Satan, is more horrible than the last. The reader leaves this stage of the book, Pergatorio, with a reflection of Satan that is inherently evil. As opposed to Dante’s representation of Satan, Milton, through Satan’s speech of advocation …showed first 75 words of 976 total…

…showed last 75 words of 976 total…of hell, and his ascent into the garden. The reader is even provided with Satan’s background that led to his current situation which is then understood as his modivation behind his actions. By introducing Satan first and allowing him to tactfully speak on behalf of himself, Milton sets up a second “fall” in addition to that which dismissed Adam and Eve from the garden: the fall of Satan from the favor of the reader.