Paradise Lost

Milton's retelling of Genesis 2 is much more than a simple reinterpretation. Much can be derived from Milton's constant references, strong character descriptions, and underlying themes of Paradise Lost. Adam and Eve share in a relationship before sin, which until this point is not well characterized. One of the most prominent aspects of Genesis interpretation that I found throughout the story is the question of equality of creation and gender roles. The word "godlike" is used to describe Adam's creation, whereas "Manlike" is used to describe Eve's. There exists an interesting interplay between power imbalance and acceptance. While Adam clearly takes "true autoritie," and Eve embodies "softness", accept these roles without abuse in order to form a perfect union of the two. This might reflect Milton's view on marriage, that while there are irreconcilable differences between husband and wife they can be used to strengthen a relationship. Eve "Yield[s] with coy submission, modest pride" implying that she accepts her slightly depreciated role. Very important is the sense of love and kinship felt by Adam and Eve that Milton portrays. Even Satan finds "In them divine resemblance," suggesting that their unity is more divine than each separately.

Keeping with their love for one another, the Fall is almost seen as a triumph of Adam and Eve's love rather than an act of disobedience. Yes, Eve can be blamed as causing the fall, but she also provides the first true test of love for humanity. The common phrase "I would die for you" is spawned here as Adam enters his monologue about his decision. Multiple different texts come to my head when reading this, such as Romeo and Juliet when they end up dead from love, and even Hamlet's "to be or not to be" speech. When reading the bible, the thought process or Adam is not covered, as he merely takes the fruit and eats it. This explanation of love as Adam's motive for eating redeems the fall as a triumph of love.

The majority of awakening that occurs according to Milton is sexual. The first thing Adam and Eve do upon eating the fruit is have sex with an unprecidented lustfulness. This is contrary to the Biblical version where Adam and Eve immediately cover themselves after gaining knowledge. The clothing scene in Milton's work is not seen untill the morning after their awakening.

Adam's cry to god asking why Eve was created is very similar to a text we have read (which i cannot remember) that explained that if Eve's purpose was for companionship, surely another male would have been created. Milton uses this logic here when Adam asks why some other form of reproduction could have been created that does not use a female, and why the world could not have been filled with men.

Another thing I found interesting in this text was Eve's consideration of keeping the knowledge for herself. I find this as a contradiction to my previous argument of Adam and Eve's acceptance of their roles to create a strong unity. Here it seems as if Eve is resentful again, and would take the knowledge to gain an "upper hand" with Adam, to balance out their inequality. However, her reasoning for not choosing this course of action is somewhat redeeming, in that she seems more shunned by the prospect of not being with Adam than she does about death itself. Here too we see Eve's "heroine" qualities. She gives Adam the fruit to keep them equal and perpetuate their love.