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Paradise Regained Characters
The characters of Paradise Regained center around the account of Satan tempting Jesus Christ, according to the Gospel of Luke. There are also references to other Biblical books in the poem. The two main characters of Milton's epic poem are Jesus Christ and Satan.
Milton also incorporates additional characters, some briefly and some throughout the text, including God, the Father; Mary, the mother of Jesus; Joseph, the husband of Mary; as well as Adam and Eve. Other Biblical characters are Gabriel, the angel; John the Baptist, the prophet who baptized Jesus Christ; David, shepherd and king in the Old Testament; prophets Simeon and Anna; and King Ahab. Milton also references general figures in the Bible, such as angels and demons, Jewish temple leaders, and the wise men who came to visit Christ after his birth.
Additional Biblical characters Milton mentions are Andrew and Simon, followers of Christ; Moses, leader of the Jewish people; Solomon, the wise king; the prophets Elijah and Daniel; Gideon, a leader of Jews; Jephtha, a judge; Abraham, a leader of Jews; and Jacob, a leader of Jews.
In addition to Biblical characters, Milton incorporates characters from Paradise Lost, such as the demon Belial and the dark angel Asmodai. Milton also references the demon Incubus, as well as various goddesses and gods, like Neptune.
This epic poem also mentions historical figures, such as Julius Caesar, Socrates, Tiberius, Alexander the Great, and Homer.
Characters Discussed
(Great Characters in Literature)
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus of Nazareth, the tempted, an embodiment of the poet’s religious philosophy and ideals. He is reasonable, intelligent, and holy. Pronounced the beloved Son of God at his baptism, he enters the desert to meditate on the course he should choose to fulfill his destiny as the Saviour of humankind. His self-communion and his troubled dreams show His humanity and prevent His becoming a mere theological abstraction. Superior to both physical and spiritual temptations, He overcomes Satan and redeems humankind from its fallen state caused when Adam and Eve succumbed to temptation.
Satan
Satan, the tempter, the great Dictator of Hell. Debased from the splendid, though tarnished, rebel...
(The entire section is 526 words.)