Books VIII-IX: Which Came First: Sin or the Fall?

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   We are usually taught in Bible studies and Sunday schools that everything was perfect before the Fall. If that is the case, how does Adam and Eve's argument play into this? In book IX, lines 205-384, Adam and Eve have a disagreement about how they should conduct their work. Eve wants to split up, but Adam would rather stay together in case Satan tries to attack. Eve gets upset and offended that Adam does not think she is strong enough to withstand temptation, and even uses manipulation to get her way. Not to mention that while Eve is doing her work, Adam is making a flower crown for her instead of working. Manipulation? Hurt feelings? Fear? Laziness? Is it possible that in Milton's world, Adam and Eve were already sinners before they were tempted? How could they do these things before sin officially entered the world? I do not have an answer. I am not sure how Milton would justify this, but I sure would like to ask him.

P.S. I commented on Trey's and Abigail's posts.

Comments

  1. Trey NorthcuttSeptember 11, 2017 at 4:06 PM

    I hadn't really considered that before, but that does make sense. If anything, it shows mankind's weakness before the Fall - that our emotional states make us susceptible to temptation by Satan. It's fairly obvious Milton invented this argument for dramatic purposes, but the addition of this shows Adam and Eve's hubris (harkening back to Homeric Epics once again). Of course, we know that in real life Adam and Eve were perfect before the Fall, but here, Milton presents them as flawed protagonists. There's not a clear answer on this, but I'd also like to ask Milton's reasoning on this.

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  2. Nathanael C. CarrollSeptember 11, 2017 at 6:42 PM

    I wouldn't say that the argument, nor the actions thereof would be considered sin for two main reasons: one, they are completely ignorant to that which is right and wrong, thus have no basis for judging anyway. But more importantly, argumentation and then a following goal at reconciliation is not sin either. Adam's flower project and the argument in general are not necessarily evil, though they do involve conflict. I could clarify, but to do so would take a while longer, just a thought.

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  3. Ty GoramSeptember 11, 2017 at 8:06 PM

    I feel like the fact Eve was working and was tested, and Adam was goofing off and wasn't tested was a sort of reference to the way that women might have been treated during Milton's time. A woman can work hard and still get in trouble, but a man can slack off and be fine. I believe they were destined to be sinners, in Milton's universe, but I don't think they were created sinners.

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  4. Zelda PeachSeptember 11, 2017 at 9:17 PM

    You point out quite an interesting question. How can you have arguments about anything if everything is perfect? I think Milton must be hinting here that even though Adam and Eve were created perfectly they are starting to have opinions and thoughts of their own through free will. The same free will formed thoughts that will eventually bring them to their fall.

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