The Image of Satan in Shakespeare and Miltons View - Book Report/Review Example

The Satan Figure (Rebel Figure). An archetype is a representation or symbol that is widely understood and recognized through terms, patterns of behaviour and statements from people throughout history. These traits are copied from one generation to another and are mostly used and deducted from literary texts and modern motion picture films derived or translated from texts. Archetypes are models of behaviour, personality, behaviour and ideals that are construed to be relevant in life. Archetypes can be used on a diverse range of contextual frameworks to represent a commonality that is recognizable through time. In literary works, archetypes are used to depict personalities that are exemplified in stereotypes, and as a tool used to express details of a character in a story. Archetypes are traits that are deemed as perfect illustrations of humanity, and are thus replicated in future characters in most literary representations. Archetypes are used as the main protagonists in a story where they are used to convey the author’s themes and messages across to the reader. Replication of archetypes led to generic versions of personalities that are represented as ideal, and are common in almost all literal works. An example of an archetypal character is the mother figure or the hero. These traits were present in folklore and early literature which represented universal forms that could be used to channel emotions and experiences. These forms resulted in typical patterns of behaviour with recognizable probable outcomes. This paper aims at discussing Satan as an archetypal character from covered texts. Satan is an archetype of evil and all that is viewed as bad, immoral and negative by human beings. Satan is a symbol of pure debauchery, depravity and ill will in all aspects of life that are experienced by people. Stan is an epitome of everything that is viewed as bad in the world, and especially the deeds that take place in the hands of people. The archetype of Satan as a rebel figure is depicted in a wide range of literary texts through time as an embodiment of evil and ill will towards the common good. Shakespeare in his famous play titled Macbeth, the protagonist is a person called Macbeth who resembles Satan as the rebel against God. In the context of the bible and the play Macbeth, Satan and Macbeth had great power above normal angels and man. These aspects were gained by according their masters at-most loyalty and trust which gave substantial power to enact change for the good or bad. The power accorded to Macbeth due to his stature sees him desire for more power, and he ultimately rebels against the king. Macbeth’s ambitions cause him to covet the seat of leadership held by the king, and he kills anyone who gets in his way, an attempt to ouster the king (Partridge 120). In this literary text, Shakespeare successfully creates a perfect Satan rebel archetype in the Macbeth character that is the protagonist of the play. In popular culture, Satan is portrayed and perceived as an antagonist figure and the book by John Milton, Paradise Lost; Satan is depicted as a character that endeavours to undermine the true hero of the story (.Partridge 98) In this book, the reader is faced with a challenge of being forced to perceive Satan as a hero because of the way that the plot of the story is manipulated. The story line in this book goes against the traditional representation of a hero archetype. Milton presents a rebel archetype in Satan who is forced by circumstances to behave the way he does towards god. This book provides a complex representation of archetypes in a single character, and a perfect example is God who is portrayed as being antagonistic to Satan. The bare contradictory duality of archetypes contained in this book and others of its kind provide an interesting source of different archetypes. The Devil as Satan is alternatively known is depicted s a reckless and fearless individual who deems God as distanced and selfish person. As in all literal works, the rebel archetype in this book is shown by Satan’s rebellion against all that God commands, which causes a war in paradise, and he ultimately loses. In Paradise Lost, Satan is depicted as a sly and smart character who is able to convince a third of God’s angels to rebel against God and fight for freedom of free will. This archetypal rebel character of Satan is by his eternal wish and desire to be always against God and in so doing influence other people to use their free will to oppose God (Partridge 201). At the start of a story, the rebel archetype is depicted as a believer of great ideas, but he comes to the realisation that the world is uncaring and corrupt, which turns the character bitter. A common characteristic of rebel archetypes is that they are strong, violent, smart, savvy and usually in the wrong. They can rebel against something in particular, but in most cases they rebel against everything. In some literature rebel archetypes have loyal streaks or special position and stature in society which they still hold on to as a bargaining chip in their rebellious quests (Partridge 189). The rebel archetype is depicted even in today’s literal works as an embodiment of evil, and they go to immense strides to cause harm and destruction. In book Star Wars, Darth Vardar is a representation of the rebel archetype that Satan represents to the world. Darth Vardar rebels against the alliance and harbours ambitions to annihilate the planetary alliance and exert his own fiefdom over the universe. Darth Vardar is seen as a figure that is not committed to the general well being of the rest of the planetary alliance because he sees them as limitations to his ambitions and desires. Technology has transformed how literature is accessed and utilized to more diverse and interactive platforms. J. K. Rowling’s books titled Harry Potter offer a perfect example of the impersonation of Satan rebel archetype in the character of Lord Valdemort who is the embodiment of all evil that befalls the magical realm. Valdemort uses all means necessary to ensure that he wrecks havoc on all those who oppose his plans. Just like Satan, Valdemort was a student at Hogwarts School of Magic under the name of Riddle. Riddle rebelled against the institution and its leadership. This was after being castigated for exercising his powers to their full potential which was deemed dangerous and potentially harmful to the magical world. Riddles rebellion against the institution is reminiscent of Satan’s rebellious mannerisms towards God, and the chaos that followed this rebellion. Both archetypes in this context led to a lot of suffering among the common folk in the world. The archetype of Satan as a rebel is widely depicted in many literal works that aim to bring out the themes of betrayal, deceit, evil and all manner of vices and evils in the world. This is because the Satan archetype is an embodiment of all evil in the world. Characters that fall from grace are alluded to as exemplars of Satan and his archetype because they rebel against their higher authorities. The use of the Satan archetype can be traced back to ancient times before the invention of writing where it was in folklore and story telling. The Satan archetype is an adequate representation and portrayal of the themes of rebels and rebellions in the world’s societies. Archetypes are used to bring out the desired message and theme from the author to the reader in an easy to understand and identify with medium or tool. Works Cited. Partridge, C. The Re-Enchantment of the West: Volume 1 Alternative Spiritualities, Sacralization, Popular Culture and Occulture. Illustrated Edition. Continuum International Publishing Group. 2005. Print. Read More