75 pages • 2-hour read
John MiltonA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.
The first human created by God, Adam lives in Paradise and communicates directly with angels and God. He is deeply in love with his companion, Eve, and possesses an inherent curiosity about the cosmos. He is tasked with ruling over Eden and warned not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge.
The first woman, created from Adam's body to serve as his companion in Eden. She is highly beautiful, inquisitive, and occasionally drawn to her own appearance. She is targeted by Satan, who views her desire for independence and vulnerability to flattery as an opportunity to strike at God.
The omnipotent, omniscient creator of the universe. He demands absolute loyalty from His creations and grants them free will so their obedience is a genuine choice. He foresees the trials humanity will face but insists on strict adherence to His singular rule regarding the Tree of Knowledge.
God's chosen co-ruler and pure altruistic spirit. His elevation in Heaven sparks Satan's original rebellion. Unlike the proud rebel angels, The Son is entirely devoted to God and volunteers to serve as a sacrifice to eventually protect humanity from the consequences of their mistakes.
Satan's second-in-command among the fallen angels. He is instrumental in shaping the debate in Pandaemonium, ultimately presenting Satan's plan to corrupt humanity as if it were a democratic proposal. He acts as a strategic sounding board for the rebel leader.
An archangel tasked with warning Adam about the impending danger posed by Satan. He acts as a storyteller, translating celestial history—such as the angelic civil war and the creation of Earth—into terms Adam can understand, while cautioning against excessive scientific curiosity.
A formidable archangel and the chief warrior of God's army. He is a steadfast enforcer of divine will, wielding immense physical power during the heavenly war and serving as God's solemn messenger when communicating the future to mankind.
A terrifying figure who is half-woman and half-snake, surrounded by tormenting hounds. She was born directly from Satan's head when he first conceived of rebelling against God. She holds the key to Hell's gates and strikes a bargain with her father to allow his escape.
Daughter of Satan
Mother of Death
A shadowy, violent entity born from the incestuous union of Satan and Sin. He serves as a guard at the gates of Hell and is eager to consume whatever crosses his path, eventually aiding in building a bridge between Hell and Earth.
Son of Sin
Son of Satan
An archangel whom Satan tricks by adopting the disguise of an innocent, curious cherub. Uriel is well-meaning but susceptible to deception, unwittingly providing Satan directions to humanity's home.
Tricked by Satan
A fierce, militant fallen angel who advocates for immediate, open warfare against Heaven. He is aggressive and believes they have nothing left to lose, preferring destruction over submission.
Follower of Satan
A fallen angel who counters Moloch's aggression with a proposal of passive endurance. He argues that God could make their punishment even worse and suggests they simply adapt to their new life in Hell rather than fight.
Follower of Satan
A fallen angel focused on material wealth and industry. He proposes that the demons mine Hell's resources to build a magnificent empire that rivals Heaven, preferring to create their own society rather than wage war.
Follower of Satan
The personified force of disorder who rules the unformed matter of the universe. He gives Satan directions to Earth after Satan promises to return the newly created world to a state of absolute disorder.
Bargains with Satan
Co-ruler with Night
The personified force of darkness co-ruling the unformed void with Chaos. She represents the vast emptiness that Satan must cross to reach God's new creation.
Co-ruler with Chaos