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Unit 21: Paradise Lost-I (Non-detailed Study): Discussion and Analysis–II

Notes

How did God create Eve?

Raphael talks to Adam about love, recommending that he refrain from carnal passion and search
for a pure love that rejuvenates and expands his mind and body. Yet Adam is worried about his
physical attraction to Eve, since she is noticeably less pure than he. Raphael says that while Eve is
more beautiful on the outside, she is less worthy than Adam on the inside. Her spirituality is weaker
than Adam’s, her intellect is slightly less developed, and her vanity is a serious weakness. Raphael
tells Adam that his love for Eve must transcend her sexual attractiveness. Adam responds by
admitting his physical attraction to Eve while asserting that his love comes from her emotional and
spiritual companionship. Raphael reiterates to Adam the danger that he faces with Eve and the
need for both of them to avoid Satan’s temptations. Afterward, Raphael takes his leave to return to
Heaven and Adam goes to sleep.

Analysis

Adam’s memory of first awakening to consciousness presents significant differences from Eve’s
first memories, which we see in Book IV. Whereas Eve awakens in shade, Adam does so in broad
sunlight —”happy Light,” as he calls it (VIII.285). Eve is quickly drawn in by reflections and images,
coming to desire an illusion of herself, and only gradually drawn by God toward Adam and the
wisdom represented by the platan tree. Adam, in contrast, looks toward the sky and toward God
immediately upon waking up. He quickly discovers that he knows the true names of things, so he is
not deceived by mere appearances and shadows. God appears to him as a visible presence rather
than merely a voice, and entrusts Adam with his commandments, all of which suggests that Adam
is closer to God and to the truth than Eve. When God asks Adam why he wants a companion, given
that God himself is solitary and without peer, Adam shows that he understands his own nature,
arguing that he is deficient and defective, unlike God.
Adam’s account of his first meeting with Eve is somewhat different from the version Eve gives in
Book IV. There, Eve says that she turned away from Adam at first because he did not seem as
attractive as her own reflection. Although Adam has heard Eve’s explanation, in his explanation to
Raphael he says that her turning away from him seemed to him to be intentionally designed to
make her more attractive to him (whether the intention was Eve’s or God’s), as it is natural for him
to pursue her rather than the other way around. This discrepancy could point to Adam’s tendency
to deceive himself where Eve is concerned.
Adam and Raphael’s description of Eve illustrates Milton’s view of the inequality of men and women.
Eve’s decision to leave Raphael and Adam alone, preferring to hear the conversation from Adam
afterward, demonstrates her submission to Adam and her reluctance to converse with the angel
herself. We get the sense that she withdraws because she acknowledges her place in God’s hierarchy.
Moreover, Milton tells us that she prefers to hear the story mingled with Adam’s caresses, indicating
that intellectual stimulation by itself is not sufficient for her. Her absence allows Adam and Raphael
to discuss her openly, but it also implies Milton’s belief that women are either uninterested or
mentally ill-equipped for intellectual pursuits. Whatever the reason, Eve’s lack of knowledge or
engagement with reason allows her to remain ignorant to the dangers that lie ahead for her and
Adam.

Self Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Which of the angels in considered a hero arguing against Satan?
(a) Abdiel (b) Uriel
(c) Michael (d) Raphael

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