Editing Satan (section)

==In culture==
{{See also|Devil in the arts and popular culture}}

===In literature===
{{rquote|right|If he was once as handsome as he now is ugly and, despite that, raised his brows against his Maker, one can understand,<br>how every sorrow has its source in him!|[[Dante Alighieri|Dante]] in ''[[Inferno (Dante)|Inferno]]'', Canto XXXIV (Verse translation by [[Allen Mandelbaum]])}}
{{rquote|right|Here we may reign secure, and in my choice<br>to reign is worth ambition though in Hell:<br>Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.|Satan in [[John Milton]]'s ''[[Paradise Lost]]'' Book I, lines 261–263}}
In [[Dante Alighieri]]'s ''[[Inferno (Dante)|Inferno]]'', [[Dante's Satan|Satan]] appears as a giant demon, frozen mid-breast in ice at the center of the [[Inferno (Dante)#Ninth Circle (Treachery)|Ninth Circle of Hell]].{{sfn|Fowlie|1981|pages=210–212}}{{sfn|Kelly|2006|pages=265–266}} Satan has three faces and a pair of bat-like wings affixed under each chin.{{sfn|Fowlie|1981|page=211}} In his three mouths, Satan gnaws on [[Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger|Brutus]], Judas Iscariot, and [[Gaius Cassius Longinus|Cassius]],{{sfn|Fowlie|1981|page=211}} whom Dante regarded as having betrayed the "two greatest heroes of the human race":{{sfn|Fowlie|1981|page=212}} [[Julius Caesar]], the founder of the new order of government, and Jesus, the founder of the new order of religion.{{sfn|Fowlie|1981|page=212}} As Satan beats his wings, he creates a cold wind that continues to freeze the ice surrounding him and the other sinners in the Ninth Circle.{{sfn|Fowlie|1981|page=211}} Dante and [[Virgil]] climb up Satan's shaggy legs until gravity is reversed and they fall through the earth into the southern hemisphere.{{sfn|Fowlie|1981|page=212}}

[[File:GustaveDoreParadiseLostSatanProfile.jpg|thumb|Satan in ''[[Paradise Lost]]'', as illustrated by [[Gustave Doré]]]]
Satan appears in several stories from ''[[The Canterbury Tales]]'' by [[Geoffrey Chaucer]],{{sfn|Tambling|2017|pages=47–50}} including "[[The Summoner's Tale#Sources|The Summoner's Prologue]]", in which a [[friar]] arrives in Hell and sees no other friars,{{sfn|Tambling|2017|page=50}} but is told there are millions.{{sfn|Tambling|2017|page=50}} Then Satan lifts his tail to reveal that all of the friars live inside his anus.{{sfn|Tambling|2017|page=50}} Chaucer's description of Satan's appearance is clearly based on Dante's.{{sfn|Tambling|2017|page=50}} The legend of [[Faust]], recorded in the 1589 chapbook ''[[Historia von D. Johann Fausten (chapbook)|The History of the Damnable Life and the Deserved Death of Doctor John Faustus]]'',{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=268}} concerns a pact allegedly made by the German scholar [[Johann Georg Faust]] with a demon named [[Mephistopheles]] agreeing [[Deal with the Devil|to sell his soul to Satan]] in exchange for twenty-four years of earthly pleasure.{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=268}} This chapbook became the source for [[Christopher Marlowe]]'s ''[[Doctor Faustus (play)|The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus]]''.{{sfn|Kelly|2006|pages=268–269}}

[[John Milton]]'s [[Epic poetry|epic poem]] ''[[Paradise Lost]]'' features [[Prince of Darkness (Satan)|Satan]] as its main protagonist.{{sfn|Verbart|1995|pages=45–46}}{{sfn|Bryson|2004|pages=77–79}} Milton portrays Satan as a tragic [[antihero]] destroyed by his own [[hubris]].{{sfn|Bryson|2004|pages=77–79}} The poem, which draws extensive inspiration from [[Greek tragedy]],{{sfn|Bryson|2004|pages=80–81}} recreates Satan as a complex literary character,{{sfn|Bryson|2004|pages=77–78}} who dares to rebel against the "tyranny" of God,{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=272}}{{sfn|Bryson|2004|pages=77–80}} in spite of God's own [[omnipotence]].{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=272}}{{sfn|Bryson|2004|page=80}} The English poet and painter [[William Blake]] famously quipped that "The reason Milton wrote in fetters when he wrote of Angels & God, and at liberty when of Devils & Hell, is because he was a true poet and of the Devils party without knowing it."{{sfn|Bryson|2004|page=20}} ''[[Paradise Regained]]'', the sequel to ''Paradise Lost'', is a retelling of Satan's temptation of Jesus in the desert.{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=274}}

William Blake regarded Satan as a model of [[rebellion]] against [[Tyrant|unjust authority]]{{sfn|Poole|2009|page=10}} and features him in many of his poems and illustrations,{{sfn|Poole|2009|page=10}} including his 1780 book ''[[The Marriage of Heaven and Hell]]'',{{sfn|Poole|2009|page=10}} in which Satan is celebrated as the ultimate rebel, the incarnation of human emotion and the epitome of freedom from all forms of [[reason]] and [[orthodoxy]].{{sfn|Poole|2009|page=10}} Based on the Biblical passages portraying Satan as the accuser of sin,{{sfn|Werner|1986|page=61}} Blake interpreted Satan as "a promulgator of moral laws".{{sfn|Werner|1986|page=61}}

===In film and television===
[[File:The Haunted Castle 1896.ogv|alt=|thumb|upright|''[[The Haunted Castle (1896 film)|The Haunted Castle]]'' (1896) (3:12)]]
The Devil is depicted as a [[vampire bat]] in [[Georges Méliès]]' ''[[The Haunted Castle (1896 film)|The Haunted Castle]]'' (1896),{{sfn|Prince|2004|page=1}} which is often considered the first [[horror film]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bean |first1=Travis |date=3 October 2019 |title=The Highest-Grossing Horror Movies Of All Time |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbean/2019/10/03/the-highest-grossing-horror-movies-of-all-time/ |access-date=4 January 2025 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> So-called "Black Masses" have been portrayed in sensationalist [[B-movie]]s since the 1960s.{{sfn|Ellis|2000|pages=157–158}} One of the first films to portray such a ritual was the 1965 film ''[[Eye of the Devil]]'', also known as ''13''. [[Alex Sanders (Wiccan)|Alex Sanders]], a former black magician, served as a consultant on the film to ensure that the rituals portrayed in it were depicted accurately.{{sfn|Ellis|2000|page=157}} Over the next thirty years, the novels of [[Dennis Wheatley]] and the films of [[Hammer Film Productions]] both played a major role in shaping the popular image of Satanism.{{sfn|Ellis|2000|pages=157–158}}

The [[Rosemary's Baby (film)|film version]] of [[Ira Levin]]'s ''[[Rosemary's Baby (novel)|Rosemary's Baby]]'' established made Satanic themes a staple of mainstream [[horror fiction]].{{sfn|Ellis|2000|page=159}} Later films such as ''[[The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]'' (1973), ''[[The Omen]]'' (1976), ''[[Angel Heart]]'' (1987) and ''[[The Devil's Advocate (1997 film)|The Devil's Advocate]]'' (1997) feature Satan as an antagonist.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blue |first=Samantha |title=The Devil We Used to Know: Portrayals of the Devil in Media |url=https://www.academia.edu/11366511 |access-date=2017-12-22 |publisher=[[Academia.edu]] |language=en}}</ref> The [[Cinema of Turkey|Turkish]] horror film ''[[Semum]]'' (2008) is based the representation of Satan in [[Islamic holy books|Islamic scriptures]].<ref>Erdağı, D. Evil in Turkish Muslim horror film: the demonic in “Semum”. SN Soc Sci 4, 27 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-024-00832-w</ref>

===In music===
[[File:Le Songe de Tartini par Louis-Léopold Boilly 1824 (color).jpg|thumb|''Tartini's Dream'' (1824) by [[Louis-Léopold Boilly]]]]
References to Satan in music can be dated back to the Middle Ages. [[Giuseppe Tartini]] was inspired to write his most famous work, the [[Violin Sonata in G minor (Tartini)|Violin Sonata in G minor]], also known as "The Devil's Trill", after dreaming of the Devil playing the violin. Tartini claimed that the sonata was a lesser imitation of what the Devil had played in his dream.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=The Devil's Trill |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia Britannica]] |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Devils-Trill |access-date=January 3, 2018}}</ref> [[Niccolò Paganini]] was believed to have derived his musical talent from a deal with the Devil.{{sfn|Spignesi|2003|page=281}} [[Charles Gounod]]'s ''[[Faust (opera)|Faust]]'' features a narrative that involves Satan.<ref name="crack">{{cite magazine |last=Watson |first=Tom |title=The Devil's Chord: A History of Satanism in Popular Music |url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/satan-music/ |access-date=2018-01-01 |magazine=[[Crack Magazine]] |language=en}}</ref>

In the early 1900s, [[jazz]] and [[blues]] became known as the "Devil's Music" as they were considered "dangerous and unholy".<ref name="crack" /> According to legend, blues musician [[Tommy Johnson (guitarist)|Tommy Johnson]] was a terrible guitarist before exchanging his soul to the Devil for a guitar. Later, [[Robert Johnson]] claimed that he had sold his soul in return for becoming a great blues guitarist.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=John |date=2011-06-15 |title=Robert Johnson sells his souls to the devil |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/16/robert-johnson-sells-soul-devil |access-date=2018-01-03 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref> Satanic symbolism appears in [[rock music]] from the 1960s. [[Mick Jagger]] assumes the role of Lucifer in [[the Rolling Stones]]' "[[Sympathy for the Devil]]" (1968),<ref name="crack" /> while [[Black Sabbath]] portrayed the Devil in numerous songs, including "[[War Pigs]]" (1970) and "[[N.I.B.]]" (1970).<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Irwin |first=William |date=October 31, 2012 |title=Black Sabbath and the Secret of Scary Music |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/plato-pop/201210/black-sabbath-and-the-secret-scary-music |access-date=2012-10-31 |magazine=[[Psychology Today]] |language=en}}</ref>

===In visual art===
[[File:Arte romana, mosaico con eros, 04.JPG|thumb|upright=1|Ancient [[Roman mosaic]] showing a horned, goat-legged [[Pan (god)|Pan]] holding a [[shepherd's crook]]. Much of Satan's traditional iconography is apparently derived from Pan.{{sfn|Link|1995|pages=44–45}}{{sfn|Link|2010|page=264}}]]
Satan's appearance does not appear in the Bible or in early Christian writings,{{sfn|Link|1995|page=44}}{{sfn|Link|2010|page=264}} though [[Paul the Apostle]] does write that "Satan disguises himself as an angel of light" ({{bibleverse|2 Corinthians|11:14|9}}).{{sfn|Chambers|2014|page=89}} The Devil was never shown in [[Early Christian art and architecture|early Christian artwork]]{{sfn|Link|1995|page=44}}{{sfn|Link|2010|page=264}} and may have first appeared in the sixth century in one of the mosaics of the [[Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo]]. The mosaic "Christ the Good Sheppard" features a blue-violet angel at the left hand side of Christ behind three goats.{{sfn|Russell|1984|page=129}}

Depictions of the devil became more common in the ninth century,{{sfn|Link|1995|page=72}}{{sfn|Russell|1984|page=130}} where he is shown with cloven hooves, hairy legs, the tail of a goat, pointed ears, a beard, a flat nose, and a set of horns.{{sfn|Link|1995|pages=44–45}}{{sfn|Link|2010|page=264}}{{sfn|Poole|2009|page=8}} Satan may have first become associated with goats through the [[The Sheep and the Goats|Parable of the Sheep and the Goats]], recorded in {{bibleverse|Matthew|25:31–46|9}},{{sfn|Pilch|1995|page=167}} in which Jesus separates sheep (representing the saved) from goats (representing the damned); the damned are thrown into an "everlasting fire" along with Satan and his angels.{{sfn|Beekmann|Bolt|2012|page=100–101}}

Medieval Christians were known to adapt previously existing pagan iconography to suit depictions of Christian figures.{{sfn|Link|1995|pages=44–45}}{{sfn|Link|2010|page=264}} Much of Satan's traditional iconography in Christianity appears to be derived from [[Pan (god)|Pan]],{{sfn|Link|1995|pages=44–45}}{{sfn|Link|2010|page=264}} a rustic, goat-legged fertility god in [[ancient Greek religion]].{{sfn|Link|1995|pages=44–45}}{{sfn|Link|2010|page=264}} Early Christian writers such as [[Jerome|Saint Jerome]] equated the Greek [[satyr]]s and the Roman [[faun]]s, whom Pan resembled, with demons.{{sfn|Link|1995|pages=44–45}}{{sfn|Link|2010|page=264}} The Devil's pitchfork appears to have been adapted from the [[Trident of Poseidon|trident]] wielded by the Greek god [[Poseidon]]{{sfn|Link|2010|page=264}} and Satan's flame-like hair seems to have originated from the Egyptian god [[Bes]].{{sfn|Link|2010|page=264}} By the [[High Middle Ages]], Satan and devils appear in all works of Christian art: in paintings, sculptures, and on cathedrals.{{sfn|Link|1995|pages=45–46}} Satan is usually depicted naked,{{sfn|Link|2010|page=264}} but his genitals are rarely shown and are often covered by animal furs.{{sfn|Link|2010|page=264}} The goat-like portrayal of Satan was especially closely associated with him in his role as the object of worship by sorcerers{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=295}} and as the [[incubus]], a demon believed to rape human women in their sleep.{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=295}}

Italian frescoes from the late Middle Ages onward frequently show Satan chained in Hell, feeding on the bodies of the perpetually damned.{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=280}} These frescoes are early enough to have inspired Dante's portrayal in his ''Inferno''.{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=280}} As the serpent in the Garden of Eden, Satan is often shown as a snake with arms and legs as well the head and full-breasted upper torso of a woman.{{sfn|Kelly|2006|pages=281–284}} Satan and his demons could take any form in medieval art,{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=285}} but, when appearing in their true form, they were often shown as short, hairy, black-skinned humanoids with clawed and bird feet and extra faces on their chests, bellies, genitals, buttocks, and tails.{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=285}} The modern popular culture image of Satan as a well-dressed gentleman with small horns and a tail originates from portrayals of Mephistopheles in the operas ''[[La damnation de Faust]]'' (1846) by [[Hector Berlioz]], ''[[Mefistofele]]'' (1868) by [[Arrigo Boito]], and ''[[Faust (opera)|Faust]]'' by [[Charles Gounod]].{{sfn|Kelly|2006|page=295}}

Illustrations of Satan/Iblis in Islamic paintings often depict him black-faced, a feature which would later symbolize any satanic figure or heretic, and with a black body, to symbolize his corrupted nature. Another common depiction of Iblis shows him wearing a special head covering, clearly different from the traditional Islamic turban. In one painting, however, Iblis wears a traditional Islamic head covering.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Na'ama|last1=Brosh|first2=Rachel|last2=Milstein|first3=Muzeʼon|last3=Yiśraʼel|title=Biblical stories in Islamic painting|publisher=[[Israel Museum]]|location=Jerusalem|date=1991|asin=B0006F66PC|page=27}}</ref> The turban probably refers to a narration of Iblis' fall: there he wore a turban, then he was sent down from heaven.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Aḥmad|last1=ibn Muḥammad Thaʻlabī|first2=William M.|last2=Brinner|title=ʻArāʻis al-majālis fī qiṣaṣ al-anbiyā, or: Lives of the prophets, Band 24|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]]|location=Leiden, Netherlands|date=2002|isbn=978-9-004-12589-6|page=69}}</ref> Many other pictures show and describe Iblis at the moment, when the angels prostrate themselves before Adam. Here, he is usually seen beyond the outcrop, his face transformed with his wings burned, to the envious countenance of a devil.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Walter|last1=Melion|first2=Michael|last2=Zell|first3=Joanna|last3=Woodall|title=Ut pictura amor: The Reflexive Imagery of Love in Artistic Theory and Practice, 1500–1700|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]]|location=Leiden, Netherlands|date=2017|isbn=978-9-004-34646-8|page=240}}</ref> Iblis and his cohorts (''div'' or ''shayatin'') are often portrayed in Turko-Persian art as bangled creatures with flaming eyes, only covered by a short skirt. Similar to European arts, who took traits of pagan deities to depict devils, they depicted such demons often in a similar fashion to that of Hindu deities.<ref>{{cite book|author=L. Lewisohn, C. Shackle|title=Attar and the Persian Sufi Tradition: The Art of Spiritual Flight|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|year=2006|isbn=9781786730183|pages=156–158}}</ref>