Paradise Lost by John Milton is an epic poem which describes the fall of Satan and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. Satan is the protagonist of Paradise Lost and exhibits several characteristics in which readers can identify with him. Throughout the poem, Satan is not only a tragic hero, but also the key character who drives the plot and depicts many flawed human qualities. As a fallen angel from God's high regard and possessor of hubris that leads to his downfall, he represents a tragic hero but also a character that readers can identify with. By the standards of classic tragic heroes, Satan is a determined leader. with extreme pride. He knows that God is the most powerful being and yet he continues to rise up against Him, desiring more than God's highest approval. Compared to most tragic and epic heroes, Satan begins in a position of supreme status, but his tragic flaw leads to his downfall. In Book I, Milton describes the fatal flaw of Satan's pride: “The infernal serpent; It was he, whose cunning, excited by envy and vengeance, deceived the mother of humanity, at which time his pride had driven him from heaven with all his army of rebellious angels, by the with whom aspiring to place himself in glory above his peers, he trusted that he had equaled the Most High” (34-40)Satan proves his leadership by also succeeding in bringing about the downfall of other angels. He has a legion of rebellious angels whom he has managed to convince to join him in his revolt against God. He and the angels mistakenly believe that he is as powerful as God (line 40). Perhaps its vain attempts to win are what attracts sympathy and understanding from human beings, because humanity is constantly trying to change things it never can...... middle of paper ...... submits, is jealous, trusts and does not know that he is wrong when he is wrong; all of which a reader can relate to. Satan is in the same position as human beings under an all-powerful God who has foreseen their fate and yet claims they possess free will. Satan and humanity have the choice to obey or do evil, and this is where they are alike. Works Cited Milton, John. Paradise lost. Ed. William Kerrigan, John Peter Rumrich and Stephen M. Fallon. New York: Modern Library, 2008. Print.Wallace, Matt. “A Devil of Trouble: Satan as Hero of Paradise Lost.” » The complete heretic. 08/12/2008. the canvas. October 26, 2011. “Milton, John.” Encyclopedia Britannica's Guide to Shakespeare. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2011. Web. October 26 2011. .