C. S. Lewis argues in his A Preface to Paradise Lost that it is important to remember what society was like when Milton wrote the poem. In particular, during that time period, there were certain "stock responses" to elements that Milton would have expected every reader to have. As examples, Lewis lists "love is sweet, death bitter, virtue lovely, and children or gardens delightful." According to Lewis, Milton would have expected readers to not view Satan as a hero at all. Lewis argues readers far in the future romanticizing Milton's intentions is not accurate.
C. S. lEwis ArgueS in hIs a prefACE tO ParadisE lost tHAt iT Is IMpOrtaNT To rEmEmBer WHat sOciEtY wAS liKe When milton wRoTe the PoeM. IN PARticulAR, duriNg thAt time pEriod, theRe wERe certain "stoCk rEspoNseS" to ElemeNts thaT miLtoN would hAve expeCted every REader to have. As eXamPles, lewis lIsTs "lovE is sweeT, DeaTH BIttEr, vIrtue lovely, And chILDREn oR gArdens dELightfuL." ACcORDiNG TO LEwiS, MIlton woUlD haVe exPecTEd readERs to noT vIEW satAn AS a herO at alL. Lewis argues rEaDERs FAR in the futuRe RomaNticizing mIltOn'S inTENtions Is nOt Accurate.