Satan is the hero of John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost. As the epic's central and dominating figure, Satan possesses extraordinary qualities of courage, leadership, intelligence, and determination. Though he fell from heaven due to his pride, Satan maintains an optimistic and defiant spirit in his struggle to regain status against God. These heroic traits make Satan a Hellenic rather than Hebraic hero, as he obtains glory through defiance rather than submission to morality.