Grace Kasemeier

AP English 12
Period 2
Ms. Bradley
12/7/16
Satans Animagus
Throughout Paradise

Lost Satans physical journey parallels that of his spiritual

journey as he becomes farther and farther from God, which is representative of the
good and light his forms become smaller and more unappealing. Satans choice of
forms archangel, fallen angel, cherubin, cormorant, lion/tiger, toad, and serpent all
follow his emotional journey further into sin.
As the archangel, Satans name was Lucifer meaning Morning Light illuminating
his closeness to God through the relationship of God and light. Lucifer being Gods right
hand man before the Christ, had power in his beauty and through his allegiance and
submission. When Lucifer falls he loses his beauty and light and therefore his name, he
becomes Satan. As Satan his inner hatred and deceit are evident in his form as his
beauty is lost. He can no longer hide his inner ugliness and it can be seen in his form as
the fallen angel.
Satans choice of form to be a cherubin is already smaller than the fallen angel
showing that his strength is lessened through his evil actions even when Satan believes
he is stronger. As a cherubin hes treated as though he is innocent and young by Uriel
and is therefore allowed to enter Eden. However his hatred shows through his cherubin

form and gives him away. This is representative of the innocent nature that sin can
appear in but it will always ultimately reveal itself. Satans next form of the cormorant is
significant because it is a bird of prey and as Satan loses his connection to God he
becomes a threat to humanity. The birds sharp eyesight and ability to fly allow Satan to
go where he pleases and to see what he wants in order to bring about the fall of man,
however it is also a cage for Satan as it makes him smaller and less powerful than his
original self.
Though Satan believes he is gaining more power through his various sly forms
he is in effect losing his power and connection to God. As cormorant he no longer has
his angel form which is in Gods own image and as the toad and serpent he turns even
farther from the light. As a toad he is able to whisper in Eves ear and bring her dreams
to help him bring about her and Adams fall. However a toad lives in the dark and dank
away from the light, and therefore away from God. A toad however has almost no
power as its Satans smallest form yet. It does however fit Satans purpose and
illustrate that even the smallest looking sin can bring about the most damage. The
serpent form the Satan takes outlines his complete disconnect from God and his
ultimate transformation into sin and evil. Serpents dont even have legs and are one of
the only creatures that has the least appearance of man which is said to be Gods
image. Satan uses this form to be more powerful and sly but is only making himself
less.
All the forms Satan takes he does so in order to make himself more powerful but
he is just making himself less as each creature is farther and farther from the light. Each

creature progressively lives in more darkness and is themselves dark making according
to Milton Satans corruption more visible.