Milton’s Depiction of Eve

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In Paradise Lost Eve is the second most important character of the story aside from Satan. From his very first introduction of Eve Milton gives a description of her as unequal and inferior. She was created only because Adam was bored and lonely. She was made beautiful not for herself but so that she could be pleasing to Adam’s eyes. Ironically she is created as the inferior and less intelligent sex but she is the character who is most tested and is faced with the hardest challenge. Eventually she takes the fall for all of mankind. Before the fall Eve appears as totally dependent on Adam and she is willingly being submissive to him, she actually prefers to only get her knowledge from him. But is Eve really as naïve as she appears to be in Chapter four? Or is she simply playing the role and dumbing herself down purposefully as women throughout history (and even currently) have done to appease her man? If Eve really was the weaker sex why did God make Eve so powerful and give her the ability to ruin it for all of mankind? Eve is portrayed as meek and oblivious. When we are first introduced to her we are told, “Not equal, as their sex not equal seemed” (Book 4, 296). Milton lets us know from the very start that she is not equal to Adam. In his description of the appearance of Adam and Eve, even though they look like God and are made in God’s image, Adam is looks more like God. Eve’s appearance is wild and untamed, “Disheveled, but in wanton ringlets waved” (Book 4, 306). Adam’s appearance is perfect. Milton also depicts Eve as being created only for Adam’s enjoyment and entertainment, “He for God only, she for God in Him” (Book 4, 299). Eve’s only purpose was to worship Adam. By depicting Eve as subordinate, Milton is insinuating that she is not as relevant as Adam, Eve herself also believes this stating, “And daily thanks, I chiefly who enjoy/So far the happier
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