An essay on Milton's "Paradise Lost" stating that although the character of Satan follows some of Aristotle's definitions of a tragic hero, he is not.

In Milton's Paradise Lost, he writes the story of the fall of Satan, his followers, and mankind. Many critics often view Satan as the unlikely or tragic hero of the epic poem. Satan is, obviously, the main character throughout most of the poem, but not necessarily the hero. Satan's main purpose is to fight G-d, and try to be on the same level as Him. The important thing is to realize that Satan is sin, …

…Joel Sommer. Dictionary of Literary Terms. http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/resources/shakespeare/Literary.Terms.Menu.html Milton, John. Paradise Lost. London, Penguin Books. 2000 Reichert, John. Milton's Wisdom: Nature and Scripture in Paradise Lost. Ann Arbor, The University of Michigan Press. 1992 Steadman, John M. Milton's Epic Characters: Image and Idol. Chapel Hill, The University of North Carolina Press. 1968 Unknown author. Literary Terms for Tragic Heroes http://www.teachtheteachers.org/projects/JZarro2/process2.html