Characterizing Evil through Physical Transformation in Milton’s and Lewis’ Fiction

Indianapolis, IN

John Milton and C.S. Lewis are two of history’s most important and influential Christian fiction writers. Milton’s Paradise Lost, as well as several of Lewis’ works, including the Space Trilogy, The Chronicles of Narnia series, and The Screwtape Letters, were birthed during times when people were questioning the reality and nature of Hell and Satan. These stories provided insights and images for their readers, ones that continue to challenge readers today. Not surprisingly, many connections exist between the two authors’ works, as Lewis was known to frequently quote Paradise Lost and even wrote A Preface to Paradise Lost. Understanding Milton’s influence on Lewis brings into focus many similarities between Milton’s and Lewis’ fiction works. One of these similarities is the motif of physical transformation by the characters that represent evil. In Paradise Lost, Satan, as well as his followers, transform throughout the epic by taking the form of various creatures, at first by choice, and later involuntarily. In Lewis’ Perelandra, the Unman takes the form of a man; in The Silver Chair, the Lady of the Green Kirtle transforms into a giant serpent; and in The Screwtape Letters, Screwtape is transformed into an oversized centipede. In my paper I will argue that this motif of physical transformation of evil in these authors’ works highlights the influence of Milton on Lewis, serves to flesh out the differences in their portrayals of evil, and is useful in determining what each author’s theological ideas about Satan and evil are.