Paradise Lost Book 9 Analysis
Book 9 details the fall of mankind as Eve is tempted by the serpent, and consumes the forbidden fruit condemning mankind. This sole act allows sin to enter the world and is the sole reason why we experience hardship. However, within this book Milton paints a richer picture of what might’ve or likely happened on that fateful day as he describes the experiences of Adam and Eve within the garden. This book is treats men and women very differently as it essentially blames women for the fall from grace. A large portion of this book is devoted to a defining conversation between Adam and Eve in which Eve argues that solitude can be the best form of society. She presses that they should separate briefly and when Adam detests the idea this motivates
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She reasons that temptation is good in that it proves hers as well as Adam’s strength and loyalty to God. Adam protests but eventually agrees making him appear as blameless as one can be, which the book focuses on in that Adam is described as resisting each and every action leading up to the fall. Eve, who represents all women resists but is portrayed more or less as the promiscuous or risky one in that she desires solitude, feeling that she must prove something. She fails and then her devises a plan in which she makes Adam do as she has done to prevent her from being the only punished. She fears she will be punished severely and that Adam will simply receive another “Eve” thus this motivates her to tempt Adam to sin as well. Even after Adam has sinned the author defends Adam stating that he only did so out of sheer devotion and love towards Eve. Book 9 basically blames Eve who represents all women as the cause of sin. Towards the end of the book this theme that Eve is the cause of sin becomes evident as Adam suggests that had Eve stayed home/with him this would’ve never happened. Another interesting aspect this poem details is the idea of marriage in that Adam and Eve are stronger together. They could’ve and would’ve resisted temptation had they been together. In fact this was their strategy for resisting sin, being together increased or even prevented them from falling away from God. Thus this foreshadows the functional purpose of marriage in that it keeps us spiritually and
She reasons that temptation is good in that it proves hers as well as Adam’s strength and loyalty to God. Adam protests but eventually agrees making him appear as blameless as one can be, which the book focuses on in that Adam is described as resisting each and every action leading up to the fall. Eve, who represents all women resists but is portrayed more or less as the promiscuous or risky one in that she desires solitude, feeling that she must prove something. She fails and then her devises a plan in which she makes Adam do as she has done to prevent her from being the only punished. She fears she will be punished severely and that Adam will simply receive another “Eve” thus this motivates her to tempt Adam to sin as well. Even after Adam has sinned the author defends Adam stating that he only did so out of sheer devotion and love towards Eve. Book 9 basically blames Eve who represents all women as the cause of sin. Towards the end of the book this theme that Eve is the cause of sin becomes evident as Adam suggests that had Eve stayed home/with him this would’ve never happened. Another interesting aspect this poem details is the idea of marriage in that Adam and Eve are stronger together. They could’ve and would’ve resisted temptation had they been together. In fact this was their strategy for resisting sin, being together increased or even prevented them from falling away from God. Thus this foreshadows the functional purpose of marriage in that it keeps us spiritually and