Why Fangirls Would Love Satan: Or, Milton's Satan as A Predecessor to the Modern Antihero
Presentation Type
Textual Analysis
Release Option
Event
Description
.
Abstract
In Paradise Lost, Milton creates an enigma in the character of Satan. By giving the antagonist of his epic traditionally heroic qualities, Milton did what few had done before and none had accomplished on such a large scale; he created an impressive, pitiable villain— an antihero. As Milton's influence grew, the figure of the Miltonic antihero came into being. Works like Frankenstein and Jane Eyre became popular, featuring characters that garnered both the sympathy and revulsion of readers. The tradition of the Miltonic antihero continues even to this day, the echoes of Milton's Satan living on in the literature and media we know and love. This project is a study of the evolution of the Miltonic antihero, all the way from Frankenstein's monster, to Batman, to Attack on Titan's Eren Jaeger.
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Julia Griffin
Department of Primary Presenter's Major
Department of Literature
Location
Room 2041
Symposium Year
2023
Why Fangirls Would Love Satan: Or, Milton's Satan as A Predecessor to the Modern Antihero
Room 2041
In Paradise Lost, Milton creates an enigma in the character of Satan. By giving the antagonist of his epic traditionally heroic qualities, Milton did what few had done before and none had accomplished on such a large scale; he created an impressive, pitiable villain— an antihero. As Milton's influence grew, the figure of the Miltonic antihero came into being. Works like Frankenstein and Jane Eyre became popular, featuring characters that garnered both the sympathy and revulsion of readers. The tradition of the Miltonic antihero continues even to this day, the echoes of Milton's Satan living on in the literature and media we know and love. This project is a study of the evolution of the Miltonic antihero, all the way from Frankenstein's monster, to Batman, to Attack on Titan's Eren Jaeger.
