Book IX: Eve and Love After the Fall
Lines 816-33 are Eve's thoughts of whether she should share this new found "freedom" with Adam or not.
Eve now has knowledge beyond what God originally intended. Yet, she also has a major choice. Will she keep it to herself or drag Adam down with her. I enjoy Milton's portrayal of her mind post-Fall. Almost like a modern-day feminist, Eve considers the advantage she has over Adam. Her thoughts immediately drawn to how much more desirable she will be to Adam as an equal, if not superior.
Sin, however, leads to guilt and the realization that there are very real consequences to face. Although Adam does fall with her, I think it is interesting that Milton shows Eve's love for Adam, however tainted, is so strong that she is willing to damn him so that she doesn't have to be alone. This, to me, is a huge factor in sin. Sin has no consideration for others. It does not think of the aftermath, only the immediate gratification.
"I feel/ The link of nature draw me, flesh of flesh,/ Bone of my bone thou art and from thy state/ Mine never shall be parted, bliss or woe" (913-16). -Adam
I almost feel an admiration for their undying love for one another. In brings a whole new meaning to the traditional wedding vows saying for better or worse. In Adam and Eve's case: in paradise or in damnation, we are one for the rest of our lives.
I will be responding to Darby and Natalie's posts.
Eve now has knowledge beyond what God originally intended. Yet, she also has a major choice. Will she keep it to herself or drag Adam down with her. I enjoy Milton's portrayal of her mind post-Fall. Almost like a modern-day feminist, Eve considers the advantage she has over Adam. Her thoughts immediately drawn to how much more desirable she will be to Adam as an equal, if not superior.
Sin, however, leads to guilt and the realization that there are very real consequences to face. Although Adam does fall with her, I think it is interesting that Milton shows Eve's love for Adam, however tainted, is so strong that she is willing to damn him so that she doesn't have to be alone. This, to me, is a huge factor in sin. Sin has no consideration for others. It does not think of the aftermath, only the immediate gratification.
"I feel/ The link of nature draw me, flesh of flesh,/ Bone of my bone thou art and from thy state/ Mine never shall be parted, bliss or woe" (913-16). -Adam
I almost feel an admiration for their undying love for one another. In brings a whole new meaning to the traditional wedding vows saying for better or worse. In Adam and Eve's case: in paradise or in damnation, we are one for the rest of our lives.
I will be responding to Darby and Natalie's posts.
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