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... d thus more superior by eating the apple from the Tree if Knowledge, then thus will she too become more superior. Perhaps it is this thought in her mind that causes for her to finally take that first fateful bite. Strengthening this point is that Eve, while pondering if she would share the fruits of the Tree of Knowledge with Adam and all that she has gained from, admits her inferiority and her apparent dissatisfaction.
so to add what wants In Female Sex, the more to draw his Love, And render me more equal, and perhaps, A thing not undesirable, sometime Superior; for inferior who is free? (IX, 821 - 825) Never before has in the epic has Eve been alone, and as soliloquies (as this speech apparently is since she believes that there in no one listening to her) have not subtext since there is no reason for her to hide her true feelings, it is not only possible but right to say that she completely recognizes her inferiority and is bitter concerning it. There is the argument comparing the two saying that it is unfair to compare their equality or otherwise as both are perfect within their respective genders. This argument is worthless, however, because as shown, not only is Adam himself clearly shown as being the dominant of the two but also because his maleness immediately makes him the superior. It is in these aspects that he is the superior- not the two generally conceived notions that it is because he was born first and she out of him. For, if this is so then Lucifer is superior to Jesus and the animals to Adam and also Adam because of the manner of Eves birth is incomplete while she is whole. In all truth, there seems little more description of Eve than her beauty and grace.
Perhaps the only significant title given to her is Mother of Mankind (V, 288) by Raphael, rather clearly implying that perhaps the only helpful trait about her is her ability to fill the world more numerous with (her) sons (V, 299). The only exception to this is, of course, by Satan who does compliment her extravagantly with words such as Empress of this fair World (IX, 568) or A Goddess among Gods (IX, 547). Still, as mentioned, these are taken simply as sycophancies and nothing more by the reader not changing the view of her inferiority. Eve shows a bit of independence it is true, for example when, upon the sight of Raphael, Adam tells her to produce an excess of food and she contradicts him and tells him that a little is sufficient but all that this proves in that she knows her way around the kitchen which is a role that does not seem to need intelligence to fill. Despite this, she is more self-reliant that her counterpart Adam which is portrayed when she convinces him to separate for the sake of the benefit to their gardening in that as they split, more work can be achieved, while he does not want to leave her.
Yet much can be said for her personality as the reason why Adam does not want to separate from her is because he knows that Satan is out in Eden and he does not think that she has the ability to resist him if he approaches her. More can be said in addition to this, as, despite Adams warnings, she is still seduced. Still, despite these obvious, and in some cases, blatant references to Eve as being lowly and trivial compared to her husband, Milton somehow manages to change this For it is after Eve decides to eat the apple from the Tree of Knowledge does she truly evolve into a character far more complex and superior than the previous one. After she eats the apple, by the time she finds Adam it is extremely apparent that her mind set is undeniably different. Her mind set is more developed and she is actively thinking through her situation, which, obviously, she previously failed to do. But to Adam in what sort Shall I appear?
Shall I to him make known As yet my change, and have him to partake Full happiness with me, or rather not, But keep the odds of knowledge in my power Without co-partner? so to add what want In the female sex, the more to draw and render me more equal, and perhaps, A thing not undesirable, sometime Superior- fro, inferior, who is free? This may be well; but what if God have seen, And death ensue? Then I shall be no more, And Adam, wedded to another Eve, Shall live with her enjoying, I extinct- A death to think. (IX, 816 - 830) No longer does Eve think in terms of her and Adam and their mutual benefit but rather for her own benefit. She is now also intelligently going through all possible circumstances and fully realizes her own previous inferiority and the suppression of it (For, inferior, who is free? (IX, 825) ) and her present superiority. As mentioned, as Eve soliloquizes after having eaten the apple and muses over whether or not to share the apple she realizes her inferiority.
As she has never soliloquized before, it is difficult for the assumption to be made that she has never been bitter about his fact. Yet she has never seemed bitter about the fact previous to this occasion and almost seemed to revel in Adams dominance over her. For example she claimed that without [Adam she is] to no end, [her] Guide/ And [Head] (IV, 442 - 443) and in many occasions Milton describes her to yield and once to be in meek surrender (IV, 494), for example. Another illustration of her newfound superiority is after Adam and Eve have both Fallen, and the two are within a state of conflict between one another as they both blame the other for their strife. After sharing carnal pleasures they hide themselves in shame of their sinful actions and then turn on one another with painfully true accusations.
Adam claims had Eve hearkened to [his] words, and stayed/ With [him], as [he] besought [her]. [They] had then/ Remained still happy, not, as now, despoiled/ Of all our good, shamed, naked, miserable. (IX, 1134 - 11339). In response, Eve says: hadst [Adam] been there Or here the attempt, [he] couldst not have discerned Fraud in the Serpent, speaking as he spake Was [she] to never parted from [his] side? As good have grown there still, a lifeless rib. Being as [he is], why didst not [he], the head, Command [her] absolutely not to go, Going into such danger, as [he]said?
Too facile then, [he] didst not much gainsay, Nay, didst permit, approve, and fair dismiss. Hadst [he] been firm and fixed in [his] dissent, Neither had [she] transgressed, nor [him] with me. (IX, 1149 - 1161). This speech is extremely significant also in that she is for the first time contradicting Adam rather than humbly complying with his wishes. For, even though she contradicts him with the food scene she still does, at least, generally what he asks and her contradiction is more of a correction rather than a the rude contradiction that this statement is. She is no longer acting according to his wishes with the sole purpose of pleasing him but rather is proving her independence and individuality. Yet, neither is willing to take on any of the blame or is "self-condemning" (IX, 1188) - Eve for allowing herself to be enticed by Satan and Adam for allowing himself to be enticed by Eve.
Yet, for the first time after the Fall, Adam is forcing his dominance onto her. Previously, only Milton (and only subtly) mentioned her lowliness and never Adam. Now, though, he becomes petty and insulting and makes it clear that he is the dominant: . Thus it shall befall/ Him who to worth in Women over trusting/ Lets her Will rule (X, 1181 - 1184). It is Eve, however that initiated the mutual peace and causes for the two to push back their problems and to repent. She courageously approaches Adam and continues to plead her case despite his misogynist title of thou serpent (X, 867) upon Eve and telling her to leave him.
Still, with humility born out of the love that she feels for him begs his forgiveness for what she had done. Not so repulsed, with tears that case not flowing, / And tresses all disorders, at his feet/ Fell humble, and embracing them, besought/ his peace (X, 910 - 913). Thus does she manage to bring peace between her and her spouse, remain humble in her taking of the blame and in the face of his cruel rebuffs, sacrifice herself in that repentance, and yet remain equal to Adam as they leave hand-in hand as they were in the beginning but were not (from her Husbands hand her hand/ Soft she withdrew (IX, 385 - 386) ) for a point in time when she went to the Tree. Through all of this, Milton manages also to make Eve the more courageous of the two. For it is Eve who confronts Adam from whom she has every reason to anticipate an insult, and also takes the blame. She is also brave in her proposal of killing themselves in repentance.
Obviously, however, the idea is not used as Adam comes up with another plan. Milton gives her what is arguably the greatest victory within Paradise Lost, of obtaining the path to harmony, as well as the path to the continuation of the human race. Thus, while Eve is obviously portrayed as being the weaker before the Fall, she becomes the stronger after and uses the situation to her advantage to help rectify the situation while Adam is too busy dwelling in aggravated self pity. Thus she is courageous in her confrontation of Adam and starting an entirely new relationship with.
If it was truly Adam who was the superior being, then Milton would have managed to at least not made him seem so bitter and petty as she sweetly and humbly initiated the peacemaking. Consequently, this is the first and last time that Adam manages to tear himself away from his wife. Thus Milton quite clearly creates the Fall of Man as an evolutionary process for Eve. Upon the introduction of Eve to the actual moment that she eats the apple she is clearly portrayed as being a figurehead to God, the angels, and especially Adam yet her intelligence is clearly lacking. Yet this seems to fit in the world that she lives in, as it is a clearly male superior world.
Milton creates a dramatic evolutionary change in Eve as after she eats the apple from the Tree of Knowledge, her personality and overall role is that of a far more developed characters. Therefore, Milton within Paradise Lost creates a scene that is historically portrayed as being completely negative, the Fall of Man, as, in the end, being at least partly positive in that one of the main characters and causes of the entire episode, benefits by evolving into a character with far more overall development and purpose- thus allowing for the human race to at least in some way be the victor. Bibliography 1. Baugh, Albert, C. A Literary History of England. 2 nd ed. New York: Appleton- Century-Crofts, 1967. 681 - 696. 2.
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Research essay sample on Milton Paradise Lost Cliff Notes
