Head of the rebellious angels who have just fallen from Heaven. As the poem’s antagonist, Satan is the originator
of sin—the first to be ungrateful for God the Father’s blessings. He embarks on a mission to Earth that eventually
leads to the fall of Adam and Eve, but also worsens his eternal punishment. His character changes throughout the
poem. Satan often appears to speak rationally and persuasively, but later in the poem we see the inconsistency
and irrationality of his thoughts. He can assume any form, adopting both glorious and humble shapes.
Adam
The first human, the father of our race, and, along with his wife Eve, the caretaker of the Garden of Eden.
Adam is grateful and obedient to God, but falls from grace when Eve convinces him to join her in the sin of
eating from the Tree of Knowledge.
Eve
The first woman and the mother of mankind. Eve was made
from a rib taken from Adam’s side. Because she was made
from Adam and for Adam, she is subservient to him. She is
also weaker than Adam, so Satan focuses his powers of
temptation on her. He succeeds in getting her to eat the fruit of
the forbidden tree despite God’s command.
God the Father
One part of the Christian Trinity. God the Father creates the world by means of God the Son, creating Adam
and Eve last. He foresees the fall of mankind through them. He does not prevent their fall, in order to preserve
their free will, but he does allow his Son to atone for their sins.
God the Son
Jesus Christ, the second part of the Trinity. He delivers the fatal blow to Satan’s forces, sending them down
into Hell, before the creation of Earth. When the fall of man is predicted, He offers himself as a sacrifice to
pay for the sins of mankind, so that God the Father can be both just and merciful.