Question

How does the description of the devil represent the beliefs of the time

Answer 1

When writing an answer like this, answer the big part first. How is the devil described? One might say: selfish, angry, horrific, mischievous. Pending on how it is described in what you have read, write these descriptions down. Then tie those with the time period. What did you further read that makes that time period much like the description of the devil? Was it a time when most people were only out for themselves (selfish), or were many getting in trouble all the time (mischievous)?

Answer 2

Satan,[a] also known as the Devil,[b] is an entity in the Abrahamic religions that seduces humans into sin or falsehood. In Christianity and Islam, he is usually seen as either a fallen angel or a jinn, who used to possess great piety and beauty, but rebelled against God, who nevertheless allows him temporary power over the fallen world and a host of demons. In Judaism, Satan is typically regarded as a metaphor for the yetzer hara, or "evil inclination", or as an agent subservient to God.