Paradise Lost Essay

While contrasting the attitudes, and results of Jesus in the Bible, with the attitudes and results of Satan in the book Paradise Lost I discovered many comparing themes. The attitudes of Jesus that we find in the Bible are great examples for us all on how to live our lives, compared to the attitudes of Satan, whose life we may not want to follow in an example. Always when we understand Jesus’ true character, we find that Satan’s true character is the exact opposite of His. Pride is the interest of one’s own selfish needs, desires and not showing interests in everyone else’s needs and desires. The evidence of Satan’s prideful attitude in Paradise Lost is very relevant in Milton’s epic. Satan displayed â€Å"obdurate pride,† translated as stubborn pride, in Paradise Lost. Satan was stubborn in his ways, and would not relent or give in to living the life style of Jesus Christ’s. The antonym for pride is humility. Humility is the actions and thoughts of being humble and modest. Humility was a character trait that Jesus exemplified perfectly. In John 13 we find an example of humility; Jesus knelt down and washed His own disciple’s feet. Jesus did all this with a grateful heart and attitude of humility. Without happiness one cannot experience joy. When Satan was cast to hell he developed a strong hatred towards God. Paradise Lost described Satan’s attitude of â€Å"steadfast hate,† toward God and men. In contrast, Matthew 5:44 states â€Å"†¦love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.† Jesus modeled love daily in His life and also through His dying; He covered all our sins even though we were unworthy of His everlasting love. The final contrasting attitudes are rebellion, and obedience. In Paradise Lost Satan displayed the attitude of rebellion. This was seen when he said, â€Å"better to reign in hell, then serve in Heaven.† He was firmly stating that no matter what the circumstances he would no want to ever serve the Most High in His Kingdom.