In paradise lost by John Milton,Was Eve really the cause of downfall of mankind or was it a medium through which patriarchy could flourish?
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In John Milton’s Paradise Lost, Eve’s role in the downfall of mankind is a complex subject that intertwines themes of free will, temptation, and patriarchal constructs. Milton presents Eve as a pivotal character in the narrative of humanity’s fall from grace, primarily through her decision to eat the forbidden fruit and persuade Adam to do the same. This act of disobedience is traditionally viewed as the cause of mankind’s downfall.
However, analyzing Eve’s portrayal reveals underlying patriarchal elements. Milton’s depiction of Eve reflects 17th-century attitudes toward women, emphasizing her curiosity, susceptibility to flattery, and perceived inferiority to Adam. These traits suggest that Eve’s transgression can be seen as a medium through which patriarchal ideas are reinforced. The narrative implies that Eve’s secondary creation and her subsequent fall justify male dominance and female subservience.
Thus, while Eve’s actions directly lead to the fall, Milton’s work can also be interpreted as a reflection of patriarchal ideology. The epic suggests that Eve’s role in the downfall is not merely a personal failing but a device to underscore and perpetuate existing gender hierarchies. Consequently, Eve’s portrayal serves both as a catalyst for the fall and as a means for patriarchy to assert itself.
“For contemplation he and valour formed,
For softness she and sweet attractive grace; He for God only, she for God in him.”
-Book IV, Paradise Lost
In Milton’s hierarchical universe, Eve is subservient to Adam. She is depicted as being formed merely for Adam’s companionship. Her action of persuading Adam to eat the apple is portrayed as the reason for fall of mankind. Formed out of Adam’s rib, she has no separate self and no independence of thought or action.
Eve’s act of resistance, wherein she rebels to work independently, results in her fall. This points towards the notion that a woman ought to follow her husband’s will. Any deviation from the unconditional submission would result in something as tragic as Eve’s fall. Milton’s misogyny is further evident in the lines:
“Thus it shall befall
Him who to worth in women overtrusting,
Lets her will rule; restraint she will not brook;
And left to herself, if evil thence ensue
She first his weak indulgence will accuse.”
-Book IX
Milton puts the onus of fall on Eve and by incorporating the term “women,” he criticises the entire sex. Thus Eve becomes an instrument for Milton to criticize the frailities in women.
Eve is presented as a frivolous and vain woman who submits to narcissism, which ultimately leads to the fall of man. Eve is equated to Narcissus when she looks at her beauty in water. The idea of Eve submitting to the serpent’s flattery and praise is a manifestation of patriarchy, wherein a woman is always associated with feminine vanity and narcissism. Milton’s indignation against womanhood is also expressed in Raphael’s warning that Eve is fair only on the outside and Adam should get her obedience. Milton’s description of Eve’s “coy submission” is in itself a reminder of the puritanical concept of the inferior status of women.
In conclusion, a feminist reading of Paradise Lost highlights the inherent patriarchal conventions normalised in the character of Eve. More than the cause of fall, Eve manifests the idea of woman being the second sex. Her quest for knowledge is suppressed by the idea of sin, which in itself is evidence of misogyny.
In John Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” Eve’s role in the downfall of mankind is complex and multifaceted. While she is the immediate cause of the fall by succumbing to Satan’s temptation and eating the forbidden fruit, the narrative also reflects the patriarchal context of Milton’s time. Eve’s portrayal as more susceptible to deception and her subsequent blame for the fall can be seen as reinforcing patriarchal views that women are weaker and more prone to error than men.
However, it’s essential to recognize that Adam, who knowingly eats the fruit out of love for Eve, shares equal responsibility for the fall. Milton presents a nuanced perspective where both characters contribute to the transgression, though Eve’s actions are often foregrounded. This dual responsibility suggests that while the text does contain elements that support patriarchal interpretations, it also emphasizes shared culpability, highlighting the complexity of blame and agency in the fall of mankind.
In *Paradise Lost*, John Milton attributes the downfall of mankind primarily to Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God. The narrative explores themes of free will, temptation, and the consequences of sin. Eve’s role in the fall is often analyzed through the lens of traditional gender roles and power dynamics, which may reflect patriarchal values.
Some interpretations suggest that Milton’s depiction of Eve reinforces patriarchal structures. For example, Eve is portrayed as more vulnerable to temptation and responsible for the initial disobedience. Adam, while also responsible, is shown as choosing to follow Eve out of love, which casts him in a more favorable light.
Thus, while the fall is directly caused by disobedience to God, Milton’s portrayal of characters and their actions can be viewed as reflecting or supporting the patriarchal values of his era. This duality allows for readings that address both the theological aspects of the fall and the social constructs related to gender roles.