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Even though Eve is supposed to be Adam’s equal, she is created in a much different way. God fulfills Adam’s request, and agrees to create Eve, who he describes to Adam as “thy likeness, thy fit help, thy other self” (Milton 8. Adam, who is beginning to feel the effects of his solitude, asks God to create a partner of his own nature for him: “Of fellowship I speak/ Such as I seek human consort” (Milton 8.389-392). This is shown most clearly in her creation, encounter with her reflection, encounter with Satan, and encounter with God after the fall.Įve is portrayed as inferior to Adam from the moment she was first created. Although Eve is perceived as lesser and subordinated in comparison to Adam, this allows her to hold power over him, and in turn, allows her to break away from her role as a subordinated and lesser version of Adam. By observing this element, Eve is shown not as inferior or subordinated as originally perceived. It is true that Adam and Eve are in no way equals, but they do have some aspects of equality that allow them to coexist as one. Upon closer observation, Eve’s representation as a character goes much deeper than what is shown on the surface. While Eve’s actions throughout the poem initially seem impractical, they are perceived as such because she is a female. This being said, one might think that this is not the case after further examination of the poem.
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This correlates with the idea of women being less than men, which was social normality during Milton’s time in the seventeenth century. Milton lived in a time of patriarchy, where males were considered above females in almost every imaginable aspect, and this idea is evident in the poem.Įve, who is naïve and narcissistic, is shown as a lesser version of Adam, while Adam is perceived as more rational and intelligent. Milton’s version of the fall, in line with the version found in Genesis, portrays Eve as subordinate and inferior to Adam. The poem details the roles Adam and Eve played in the fall of mankind and is portrayed on a scale like the biblical version found in the book of Genesis. John Milton’s epic poem, Paradise Lost, is considered to be one of the most iconic and revered works in the English language. This is not an example of the work written by our writers. This essay has been submitted to us by a student.