Paradise Lost Essay, Research Paper

Persuasion is a very powerful tool, and if it is used wisely, the most stubborn of people can be convinced to do the unthinkable. For instance, in Paradise Lost by John Milton, Eve was tempted by Satan, disguised as a serpent, to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. God placed Adam and Eve in paradise, with only one simple rule: they could not eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. Unfortunately, Eve still ate the fruit. Why did this happen? What could the serpent have possibly said to sway Eve s judgment into eating the forbidden fruit?

The serpent first started with flattering Eve. He told her how beautiful she was and that every creature admired her. Even today, a method such as this is used to catch the attention of women. He then added the fact that she was beautiful, but only one man was able to admire her. Why only one, when she should be seen as a Goddess among God (547)? The serpent s deceptive motive had progressed from Eve is very beautiful, to Eve is a Goddess. Now, who wouldn t be overwhelmed to hear something like that?

Eve, who had not yet been totally swayed by the snake s flattering words, realized an important fact: the snake could talk. She asked the snake how he was able to speak, as she was aware that on creation day, God had made all beasts mute to all articulate sound (557). Eve s question alone helped to set up the snake s argument. First, the serpent swooned Eve once more by reminding her of how beautiful she was. His persuasive words gave Eve reason to believe that the snake truly thought she was Sovran of Creatures, universal Dame (612). Then the serpent reminded Eve that she was royalty and since he was below her, he would answer her questions as she wished. Eve was lead to believe that she was in control of the situation, and all of her questions were to be answered. This false logic stuck with Eve throughout Satan s argument, even when she was far from being in control.

The serpent began to answer the question as he said that he used to be like all other beasts. His only thoughts were that of food and sex. This all changed when he saw this beautiful tree with fruit of fairest colors mixt (577). The smell of the fruit was so wonderful. After tasting the apples of the tree, the serpent s hunger and thirst were quenched. The branches of the tree were high, so the snake had to wind his way around the trunk. Eve was wary of trying to reach the obviously out of reach branches, but the snake assured Eve that she could reach the fruit. After eating the fruit, the serpent said he was able to speak and think about beauty and God just like man. That was why the serpent had come to Eve- to worship her because she was the most beautiful and God-like creature on the earth.

One important idea that the serpent focused on in his answer was that he painted a beautiful picture of this awesome fruit. He described the apples so well that mouths would water when hearing of such a food. He also points out that it was the fruit that gave him the power to talk and think like man. Again he reminded Eve of how beautiful and godly she was. During this whole time Eve still had no idea which tree the serpent was talking about. She then followed the snake to the tree, and as they went, the snake made the complicated path seem straight.

Once Eve saw that it was the Tree of Knowledge that the snake was talking about, she said that God had commanded that she not eat from the tree. To this the serpent asked if God had said that Adam and Eve could not eat from any of the trees in the garden. This was the first hint that the serpent was going to try to blame God for not letting Eve eat the fruit. The serpent assured Eve that nothing bad could happen to her. The snake ate the fruit, and he was still alive. Therefore, someone as high and mighty as Eve couldn t possibly die from something a beast had lived through. The snake also said that God should not be mad for eating the fruit, which was a petty trespass (693). If God was going to be unjust, then He can t be God. Perhaps God was just trying to keep her ignorant. The snake ate the fruit and began to think like man. Therefore, he convinced her that if she ate, she would think like God. He said she would become a Goddess served by angels, just like she deserved.

Eve was sweet-talked into eating the fruit. Satan had done a great job persuading her. He took the most important high and mighty figure in Eve s mind (God), and turned Him into the bad guy. This was truly amazing. Satan s tactics were to not get to the point right away, and slowly chip away Eve s thoughts of right and wrong. Using the victims own minds against them is the best method for breaking them down.

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