Adam and Eve in Paradise Lost

             In John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost", the issue of who is to blame for the fall of man is one that is widely discussed and argued. Since Eve is the one who acts on her own to eat from the Tree of Knowledge as she says "To satisfy the sharp desire I had Of tasting those faire apples, I resolved Not to defer; hunger and thirst at once" (538-541), she is usually thought to be solely to blame. When everything is sorted out later in the story, it becomes clear that Adam and Eve were equally at fault for their actions.
             Adam knows the dangers that eating from the Tree of Knowledge would bring, so Adam is faced with a problem. The problem is that Eve wants to split up for the day saying "Alone, without external help sustained? Let us not then suspect our happy state Left so imperfect by the Maker wise As not secure to single or combined. Frail is our happiness, if this be so" (290-296) and Adam knows that this is a bad idea, particularly after the dream that she has described to him. They argue at great length, but in the end Adam allows Eve to do as she wishes even though he knows she is making a very bad decision. Adam also knows that his ability to reason is inherently stronger than Eve's, yet in his love for her is so strong that consents to her will. This yielding is very similar to Eve's yielding to the serpent's deception because Adam is aware of the probable outcome of this decision. In his final plea for her to remain committed he says to Eve:
             O woman, best are all things as well Of God ordained them; his creating hand Nothing imperfect of deficient left Of all he had created, much less man, Or aught that might his happy state secure, Secure with outward force. Within himself the danger lies, yet lies within his power; Against his will he can receive no harm. But God left free the will, for what obeys Reason is free, and reason he made right, But bid her well, and still erect, Lest...

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Adam and Eve in Paradise Lost. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 01:47, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/37112.html