Satan+vs+Cromwell

__**The Parallels between Satan in Paradise Lost and Oliver Cromwell.**__
Satan is sometimes considered to be the protagonist of Paradise Lost, an anti-hero with the intention of corrupting mankind. The first few books of Paradise Lost are devoted to developing Satans character creating many compelling qualities that make him intriguing to readers. Throughout Paradise Lost we can see many similarities between the character of Satan and Oliver Cromwell.

//"Milton considered many topics for his epic. Early on, he thought that the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table was a noble topic. Then, as he grew slightly older, he hoped to write an epic about Oliver Cromwell, who took control of England in 1653 after helping to dethrone and execute King Charles."// (http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/paradiselost/context.html)

**__Leadership__**
In Book One Satan is a strong, imposing figure with great abilities as a leader and public statesman. Here he addressed his legion of devils and urges them to gather in order to consider whether another war is feasible. Satan believes that they can still overthrow God if they work together.

Cromwells strengths were his instinctive ability to lead and train his men and his moral authority. Cromwell was a Lieutenant General of Horse in Manchesters army in 1644 and the success of his cavalry of breaking the ranks of the Royalist cavalry was a major factor in the Parliamentarian victory, demonstrating his abilities as a leader that he shares with Satan.

Both Satan and Cromwell used their leadership skills to attempt to overthrow and rebel against authority. Both rebel in order to create what they believe will be a better society.

__**Rebellion**__
In Book One we see Satan and his fellow devils, or fallen angels, in Hell where they have been cast after trying to overthrow God and his angels. Satan wanted freedom from being under Gods rule and wanted to overthrow God in order to create equality for all of the angels. He believed that he deserved to be on equal footing with God and when denied this, rallied other angels to attempt to help him rebel.

Like Satan, Cromwell believed that overthrowing the leader, in his case, King Charles I, was the only way to restore peace to society, England. Cromwell overthrew the English Monarchy and turned England into a republic after the execution of Charles I, an execution that he pushed for believing it was the only way to end the civil wars. However, unlike Satan, Cromwell was successful in his attempts at overthrowing the authorities.