Inferiority In Paradise Lost

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Arguably Milton presentation of Adam and Eve’s relationship as unequal pushes Eve to seek independence from Adam and thus causes the Fall of mankind. Milton’s presents Eve to be more equal to Adam than the biblical presentation of their relationship since in Genesis Eve is merely Adam’s wife who eats the forbidden fruit; when eve is created Genesis it states ‘she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man’ (Genesis 2.24). Her main character construct in Genesis is that she was created from the body of man. Whereas Milton gives Eve an individual self separate from Adam, Milton develops Eve into a more complex character. Yet this individuality stems from her inferiority. Although it seems that Adam sees Eve as an equal when Adam …show more content…

Milton by describing Eve with such impressive qualities re creates Eve as a complex character that is in direct contrast to the biblical presentation of Eve; Milton’s Eve possesses independent characteristics from Adam and intelligence. Although it seems that Eve is deemed equal to Adam in Paradise Lost arguably Milton only creates an illusion of equality. The narrator when describing their different roles states ‘he for God only, she for God in him’ (Milton 4.299) this implies that Eve is inferior; she is further removed from God. Adam was made for God and Eve for Adam. This makes Eve less spiritual. It also means she must serve God and Adam; even in the description of her role she is expected to be submissive to two male characters. Further when God talks about Adam he states ‘the character of dominion giv’n o’er other creatures’ (Milton 8.545-546). In direct contrast to the equality God previously spoke of God tells Adam it is part of his ‘character’ that he should be superior over all. Further, Adam contradicts his previous praise of Eve, he states that they are only ‘one soul’ (Milton (8.604) if Eve possesses ‘sweet compliance’ (Milton …show more content…

This change in language from praising Eve that ‘all higher knowledge in her presence falls’ (Milton 8.551) to degrading her to ‘sweet compliance’ Anderson calls this the ‘language of subordination’ (Anderson 141). Therefore one can conclude that Adam and Eve’s equality only works if she is compliant and subordinate to him. Arguably, this gap in gender equality causes Eve to assert her individuality by separating herself from Adam by eating the apple. Eve’s desire to separate herself from Adam can be seen when she suggests they work apart. Adam immediately rejects the idea, he states that ‘the wife where danger or dishonour lurks safest and seemliest by her husband stays who guards her’ (Milton 9.267-269). The use of ‘lurks’ implies hidden dangers that only Adam can be aware of; Eve is vulnerable without him. This statement by Adam is detached, he refers to Eve as ‘the wife’ this creates a disapproving tone and portrays Adam as a leader dictating rules. He dictates to Eve what she can and can’t do. This embodies the patriarchal ideals of the time. Adam exerts his role as protector, it tells Eve she is inferior and denies her of her

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