John Milton s Paradise Lost - 1588 Words

John Milton’s Paradise Lost illustrates the beginning of human destruction with the Fall of Man. Milton recreates the creation in an English epic and retells the events of the fall of Satan from Heaven, and the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden. Eve appears to be at fault for the fall of humankind and for her and Adam’s exile from Eden, because Eve gave into Satan’s temptation. However, if Eve is at fault for the fall of all humankind, than who is at fault for Satan’s fall? God provided Adam and Eve with free will, which allowed them to roam Eden and live freely. They had one rule from God; God told them to never eat from the Tree of Knowledge. However, given that they were granted free will and Satan lurked ready to tempt Adam and Eve,†¦show more content†¦Instead of taking Eve’s ideas into consideration, he replies â€Å"for nothing lovelier can be found / In woman, than to study household good, / And good works in her husband to promot e† (232-234). Basically, Adam indicates a woman’s job is to fulfill the domestic duties of her home and for her family. These very limiting compliments mirror the admirations of good wives that are found in the Bible. Eve suggests that her and Adam separate so that they can accomplish more work, but Adam fears the danger that lurks around them and expresses that she would be â€Å"safest and seemliest by her husband† (268) who will protect her from whatever tries to attack them. Not only is Eve condemned to household responsibilities, but Adam also suggests that Eve does not have the strength to protect herself without man. As a result, Eve feels inferior to Adam, so she establishes her identity and separates from him demonstrating that she has the strength to avoid danger and temptation. In addition, Satan demonstrates Eve’s constraints under God and inferiority to all men because he tempts her to commit sin. Milton writes about how Satan encourages Eve to eat the fruit: â€Å"Fixed on the fruit she gazed, which to behold / Might tempt alone† (733-736). Milton uses internal rhyme â€Å"behold† and â€Å"alone† and enjambment to illustrate Satan’s sly nature; as he slips from one line into the next, Eve, too, is propelled into the decision to eat the apple. Not only does