Paradise Lost Essay, Research Paper

*note* this paper sucks-I wrote it 1 hour before I had to hand it in. Use w/ caution.

In John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost , the issue of who is to blame

for the

fall of man is one that for the most part can be interpreted from a

close

reading of book IX. Based on the text, Eve played a larger role in the

decision

to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and Adam’s

role was

more passive in that he simply followed the wishes of Eve. When

everything is

sorted out later in the story, it becomes clear that Adam and Eve were

equally

at fault for their actions.

After an extended visit from the angel Raphael at which time he

explained in great detail to Adam the dangers of falling into temptation

and

disobeying God’s will, Adam is faced with a problem. The problem is that

Eve

wants to split up for the day and Adam knows that this is a bad idea,

particularly after the dream that she has described to him. They argue

at great

length, but in the end Adam allows Eve to do as she wishes even though

he knows

she is making a very bad decision. Adam also knows that his ability to

reason

is inherently stronger than Eve’s, yet in his love for her is so strong

that

consents to her will. This yielding is very similar to Eve?s yielding to

the

serpent?s deception because Adam is aware of the probable outcome of

this

decision. In his final plea for her to remain pious he says to Eve:

O woman, best are all things as well

Of God ordained them; his creating hand

Nothing imperfect of deficient left

Of all he had created, much less man,

Or aught that might his happy state secure,

Secure with outward force. Within himself

The danger lies, yet lies within his power;

Against his will he can receive no harm.

But God left free the will, for what obeys

Reason is free, and reason he made right,

But bid her well, and still erect,

Lest by some by fair appearing good surprised,

She dictate false and misinform the will

To what God expressly hath forbid.

Not then mistrust, but tender love, enjoins

That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me.

Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve,

Since reason not impossibly may meet

some specious object by the foe suborned,

And fall into deception unaware,

Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warned.

Seek not Temptation, then which not to avoid

Were better, and most likely if from me

Thou sever not: trial will come unsought.

Wouldest thou approve thou constancy, approve

First thy obedience, th’other who can know,

Not seeing thee attempted, who attest?

But if thou think trial unsought may find

Us both securer than thus warned thou seem?st,

Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more.

Go in thy native innocence; rely

On what thou hast of virtue, summon all;

For God towards thee hath done his part: do thine.(9,343-379)

In this long speach Adam is pleading with Eve to see that is is a

terrible

idea for her to venture out into the garden alone in the mist of such

impending

danger. It is as though he is giving her a speach before he sends her

out to

battle. Battle is precisely what she walks into, and Adam is clearly

aware that

this is going to happen. It is his decision to yield to Eve that makes

him as

much to blame for the fall as Eve is for trusting the serpent and

falling into

temptation.

After Eve has been corrupted she is faced with a decision of what to do

about Adam. She decides to convince him to eat the apple as well so that

they

will share what ever punishment that they will have coming to them. Adam

knows

that eating the apple is very wrong, but he does so anyway because his

love for

Eve is so strong will not let her suffer punishment alone. This being

his

decision, he eats the apple and thus disobeys the word of God and

contradicts

every thing he has been telling Eve that they must believe in. After the

deed

is done, they fall into a terrible argument of who is to blame, but the

reality

is that the two of the are equally at fault for the fall of man, because

either

could have prevented it if they had obeyed the will of God.

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