One of the characteristics of an epic poem is that it tells the story of a hero. in paradise lost by john milton, what details suggest that satan has the qualities of an epic hero? satan courageously accepted god’s request to become the ruler of hell. satan dared to break free from hell’s burning lake and return to heaven. satan dared to elevate himself above god and must endure a terrible punishment. satan had the courage to admit defeat and beg god for forgiveness.

-John Milton's Paradise Lost is an Epic Poem. One of the conventions of an Epic Poem is the Epic hero, who is a character that has values that are considered important for the society of the poem's author. He is usually a charismatic and cunning figure that also has a single major flaw (usually hubris). In Milton's poem, these conventions are both respected and subverted:

-Entirely written from the point of view of Satan and his allies (Satan's defeat and the losing side). This subverts the convention since in classic, epic poetry the story is told from the point of view the hero and/or the winning side.

-Satan is funny and witty. He has resolve and he is strong and cunning, just like classic epic heroes (Odysseus, Achilles). However, it would have been blasphemous for Milton to publish a book in which the devil is the hero, so Satan is actually a negative hero or an antihero, i.e. the negative hero who is the antithesis of the positive hero. Here Milton both subverts and respects the convention of epic poetry which is quite a tour de force.

-God is a boring and unattractive figure. Milton here subverts the convention since as the hero, God is supposed to have good qualities as a hero.

Therefore, the fact that Satan is so witty and brave and charismatic makes him a hero, or if you prefer a negative hero or antihero. He also has a classic, major flaw that epic heroes have had which is hubris. Since he "dared to elevate himself above God" he "must endure a terrible punishment", it follows then that this is the correct answer.

Gradpoint Answer - Satan dared to elevate himself above God and must endure a terrible punishment.

for the comment!

answer: i chose a.

explanation: