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Senior Capstone Projects

2015

Curious Girls Don't Follow Rules: Eve and

Obedience in Paradise Lost
Sabrina Sucato

Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalwindow.vassar.edu/senior_capstone

Recommended Citation
Sucato, Sabrina, "Curious Girls Don't Follow Rules: Eve and Obedience in Paradise Lost" (2015). Senior Capstone Projects. Paper 485.

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CuriousGirlsDontFollowRules:EveandObediencein
ParadiseLost

ButoftheTreewhoseoperationbrings

Knowledgofgoodandill,whichIhaveset/ThePledgeofthy

ObedienceandthyFaith

ParadiseLost8.323325

SabrinaSucato

EnglishThesis

Spring2015

Adviser:ProfessorDeMaria

 Sucato1

BEFORETHEFALL

OxfordEnglishDictionary
Initsmainentryonobedience,the describesthetermas

theactionorpracticeofobeyingordoingwhatoneisbiddenthefactorqualityofbeing

obedientsubmissiontotheruleorauthorityofanothercompliancewithorperformanceofa

to
command,law,etc.Freq.with (Obedience,n).Whencombinedwiththenotionof

yieldingincludedinthesecondhalfoftheentry,thisdefinitionilluminatestheroleof

ParadiseLost
obediencewithin .Firstandforemost,forobediencetoexistatallthereneeds

tobeanauthorityfigurewithwhomothersmustcomply.Godfulfillsthisroleinthetext.As

thedivinecreatorandsupremeuniversalpower,Godmaintainsanabsoluteandgenerally

unquestionedcommandoverhiscreations.Heestablishesrulesandlawswhichmustbe

obeyed.Inthisregard,Goddiffersfromotherauthorityfigureswhodonothavethesame

allencompassingcontrolasthedivinemaker.Hisomnipotenceallowshimtodemandahigh

levelofobediencefromhiscreations.

InadditiontoGodastheomnipotentruler,Milton'splotreliesuponthosecharacters

whodoubtorstrayfromGodsword.BothSatanandEveactasdisobedientcharacters

OxfordEnglishDictionary
withinthetext,althoughtheydosoindifferentways.The OED
( )

definesdisobedientaswithholdingobediencerefusingorfailingtoobeyneglectfulor

notobservantofauthoritativecommandguiltyofbreachofprescribeddutyrefractory,

rebellious(Disobedient,adj.andn.).Satan,whodisobeysGodearlyoninthepoem,is

immediatelydepictedasthevillainouscharacter.Astheleaderoftherebellionfromheaven,

SatanrefusestoobeyGodsdecrees.Herepresentstheoppositiontoobedienceandgoesso
 Sucato2

farastolookforwaystoupsettheharmonyinGod'suniverse.Heembodiesthewillful

OED
resistancehighlightedinthe definitionwhenheattemptstodisturbthepeaceofGods

world.Eve,however,remainsfreefromscrutinyforamajorityofthepoem.Forthemost

part,sheactivelypracticesobediencetoGodalongsideherhusband,Adam.Together,the

coupleyieldtoGod'sauthorityandliveouttheircarefreelivesinEden.Eventually,however,

Evedoesnotdowhat[she]isbidden,(Obedience,n.)andinsteadbrushesasideher

creator'slawinfavorofherowndesires.ByeatingtheapplefromtheTreeoftheKnowledge

ofGoodandEvil,EveactivelydisobeysGodandsetsoffasequenceofeventsthatdefinethe

humanconditioninthecenturiestocome.

ParadiseLost
Inthecriticaltraditionsurrounding ,Evesobedienceisamajorpoint

ofconflict.CriticscannotagreeuponherwillingnesstofollowGodsruleandoftenpainther

aseitherrenegadeandsinfulorconfusedandnaive.EveisthevariablewithinMiltonsstory.

ShedoesnotseemtoexistentirelywithinGodsdomainandisthereforesomewhatofan

anomalywithinthetext.Adamcannotfullyunderstandher,Satancannotcompletely

influenceher,andGodcannotentirelycontrolher.Eveisuniqueinherpartialautonomy.

Shehassomefreedomtomakeherowndecisionsandtodoassheseesfit.UnlikeAdamand

theangelswhopracticeablindobediencetoGod,Evemakesuseofherfreewill.Sheprefers

toreasonforherselfthantoacceptwhatGodcommandswithoutquestion.Althoughsheis

notinherentlydisobedientinthesamewaythatSatanis,shedoesletherpartialautonomy

guideherindifferentdirections.Whileshedoesforthemostparttendtoobeyhercreator

andpraisehisdivinity,shealsoallowsherselftowandertowardthesideofdisobedience.

SheactsasanindividualasmuchasshecanundertheinfluenceofGodandAdam.
 Sucato3

Evesuniquenessasacharacterisestablishedimmediatelyuponherentranceintothe

text.Inherfirstspeechwithherhusband,sherelatesherarrivalintotheworld.Herbirthis

fullofsubtledisobediencesthatmarkherasdifferentfromAdam,themostperfectofGods

humancreations.UnlikeAdam,whoimmediatelytrainshiseyeontheskyandonGods

power,Evefocusesuponherselfandupontheeartharoundher.Shedoesnotinstantly

establishGodasheromnipotentcreator.Sherecalls:

AsIbentdowntolook,justopposite,
AShapewithinthewatrygleamappeard
Bendingtolookonme,Istartedback,
Itstartedback,butpleasdIsoonreturnd,
Pleasditreturndassoonwithansweringlooks(4.460464)

EvesappearanceonEarthdirectlycontrastswithAdamsfirstmomentsoflife.Sheisborn

inshadewhileheisbornunderasunnysky.Inthispassage,herfirstthoughtistolookdown

towardthegroundbelowherAdam,conversely,lookstowardtheheavens.Evebendsdown

totheclearwaterasshecatchesaglimpseofherownreflection.Sheisenthralledbyher

imageandreturnstothewatertocontinuegazinguponherselfafterherinitialshock.

Understandably,thismomentisofteninterpretedasarepetitionoftheNarcissusmythby

Eve.Godssecondcreationistoovaintoadmireheromnipotentfatherorobeyherperfect

husband.However,Evesactionsinthismomentarenotnecessarilyasselfcenteredassome

maythink.Eveisnewtotheworldwhensheexperiencesherownimageforthefirsttime.If

anything,EvesfascinationwithherreflectionsignalsGodssuccessasacreator.Hehas

createdsuchperfectbeingsthattheycannothelpbutadmirethemselvesintheirflawlessness.

Ifanything,EveobeysGodbyappreciatingherreflection.Sheworshipshimbyworshipping
 Sucato4

herself.TheonlyissuethenisthatshedoesnotpraiseGoddirectlyhere,butratheridolizes

himindirectlythroughheradmirationofherselfandtheworldaroundher.

EvesonlyfailureatobediencehereisthatshedoesnotworshipGodenough.She

certainlylovesandpraiseshermakeroftenduringherdailytasks.Yetbecauseofherindirect

connectiontoGod,shecannotappreciateorobeyhiminthesamewaythatAdamcan.She

seemstobeawareofthisinequalitywhenshecallsAdamMyAuthorandDisposer,and

declares,whatthoubidst/UnargudIobeysoGodordains,/Godisthylaw,thoumine

(4.635637).EvemakesclearherethatsheisonlyobedienttoGodthroughAdam.Her

husbandisherphysicalcreator,sincefromhisribwassheformed.Forthisreason,she

attributestohimthepowerofcreation,eventhoughGodwastheonewhotrulyformedher

bodyandsoul.Inthisway,shemaintainsstrongertiestoherhusbandthantoGod.Yeteven

thoughthisistrue,shestillremainsfaithfultoGodthroughAdamsfaithinhim.Asshe

declaresinthelinesabove,sinceGodis[Adams]lawandAdamisherlaw,thenGodis

is
herlawtoo,evenifit mediatedthroughAdam.Admittedly,thismediationdoesdistance

EvefromGodandmakeiteasierforhertoactindependentlyfromhermaker.Forthetime

being,however,sheisjustasdevouttoGodasherhusbandis,regardlessofthestrengthof

theirrespectivebondstothecreator.

NotonlyisEveindirectlyfaithfultoGodthroughAdamandhisfaithfulness,butshe

isalsofaithfultoGodbybeingobedienttoherhusband.Intheirrelationship,Adamisthe

standardmalepatriarchwhileEveishisadoring,obedientwife.Godestablishesthismarital

hierarchyfromtheoutsetbymakingAdamhisfirst,perfectcreationandbyplacingEveinto

asecondaryroleasAdamswifeandhelpmeet.AsEvenotesabove,Godordainsher
 Sucato5

obediencetoherhusband.ByfollowingAdamwholeheartedly,EveobeysGodslaw.She

establishesherhusbandashercenterofattentionanddoesallhecommands.Inthisway,

AdambecomesthemostperfectbeingtobothGodandEve.Theybothadoreandvaluehim

highly.Yetbydoingthis,EveandGodalsocreatedistancebetweenthemselves,sincethey

relyuponamiddlemantomaintaintheirconnection.

ThisideathatAdamisthemediatorbetweenEveandGodisfurtheredbytheinitial

interactionbetweenAdamandEveinthegarden.Evestopsadmiringherselfonlywhen

Adamsvoicepullsherawayfromherreverie.Bycontrast,inAdamsfirstmomentson

earth,itisGodsvoicethatfirstcallsouttohimandinstructshimaboutthewaysofthe

world.AdamsconnectiontoGodisimmediatelyestablished.Eve,ontheotherhand,must

relyuponherhusbandtodictatetoherallheavenlywisdom.Perhapsbecauseofthisindirect

linktohermaker,shedoesnotimmediatelyobeyherhusband,butinsteadexercisessome

independence.HersecondarytietoGodprovidesherwithagreateropportunityforfree

thoughtthanAdameverhas.Incomparisontoherself,shesaysofAdam:

,yetmethoughtlessfaire,
Lesswinningsoft,lessamiabliemilde,
ThenthatsmoothwatryimagebackIturnd,
Thoufollowingcrydstaloud,ReturnfaireEve,(4.478481)

EvesdecisionaboutwhetherornottopayattentiontothisvoicehastodowithAdams

physicalappearance.Inheropinion,heisnotnearlyasattractiveassheis,andsoshefeels

noneedtoobeyhim.Sheismorefascinatedwithherownreflectionandchoosestodevote

herattentionstoit.Thesmoothwatryimageismorepleasingtoherthanthenewbeingin

frontofher.HerstatementbackIturndisparticularlypowerful,sinceitdemonstratesher

consciousrejectionofherhusband.Evenifitisonlytemporarily,Eveobeysneitherher
 Sucato6

husbandnorGod,preferringherselfoverthetwoofthem.Herbondwiththeearthandher

humanityismorepowerfulthanherholytiestoGodorherconjugaldutiestoherhusband.

Herbirthinaplacefulloflush,naturalbeautyconnectshertothelandfromtheoutset.This

comesindirectcontrastwithAdamsfirstmomentsofconsciousness,whichoccurunderthe

sunandwithaclearviewtowardthesky.Adamaspirestowardaheavenlyrelationshipwith

GodwhileEverelishesherclosetieswithnature.Furthermore,thatsheprioritizesthisbond

overGodorherhusbandforeshadowsthesceneofthefall.Eveisfascinatedbythebeautyof

theland,andthereflectionofherselfthatsheseeswithinit,andexhibitsamuchstronger

bondtoitthanAdamdoes.Shelovesthegardeninitsentirety,fromthesmoothwatry

imagetothefruitthatleadstoherdownfall.

Intheend,however,EvedoespayattentiontoAdamscall,evenifittakessometime

forhertocomearound.AfterAdamexplainstoherhowshewascreated,Evebeginstoshow

herattachmenttohim.Bytheendofthescene,theirbondisevident.Everelateshow

AdamshandSeisdmine,Iyielded,andfromthattimesee/Howbeautyisexcelldby

manlygrace/Andwisdom,whichaloneistrulyfair(4.489491).Whilethismomentof

Evessubmissionisclear,itissomewhatundercutbyEvesfinalmessage.Adamseisd

her,therebyclaimingphysicalandsymbolicownershipofher.Whatismore,Eveyielded,

andthusacknowledgedandgrantedAdamsleadershipoverher.Thisactionissignificant

becauseitimpliesthatEverecognizesandacceptsAdamasherhusbandunderGodslaw.

Fromthispointon,shelivesunderGodsdominionandobeyshiscommandsasdictatedto

herbyAdam.
 Sucato7

However,herfinaltwolinesinthissectionhighlightboththestrengthofher

connectiontoAdamoverGodandthenotionthatshealreadyhasinmindthoughtsthatwill

leadhertofall.Herstatementthatbeautyisexcelldbymanlygraceimpliesafewthings

aboutherrelationshipswithAdamandwithGod.Evecommentsonhowthebeautyshe

initiallyadmiresisimprovedbyAdamsmanlygrace.Notonlydoeshecomplementherin

theirpair,buthealsobettersher.Thewordgraceisinterestinghere,sinceitconnects

AdamwithGod.AdamsGodgivengraceiswhatstrengthensEve.Shedoesnotreceivethis

gracebutmustinsteadrelyuponAdamforanyconnectiontoGod.SheneedsAdaminorder

tohaveanybondwithGodwhatsoever.Itisunderstandablethatshedevotesalargemajority

ofherattentiontoherhusbandandnottoGod.ByremainingobedienttoAdam,Eveis

obedienttoGod.YetalthoughsheacceptsthisobediencewhensheyieldstoAdamsgrasp,

shedoesseemtodesiremorethanisreadilyavailabletoher.Herfinalstatementabout

wisdom,whichaloneistrulyfair,isamomentofpowerfulforeshadowinginthepoem.

Evemayhaveacceptedherhusbandsdominance,butshestilldreamsofwhatis

momentarilybeyondhergrasp.Sherecognizesbeautyandmanlygraceastwodesirable

concepts.Yetitiswisdomthattrulyappealstoher.Whenshenotesthatwisdom,over

everythingelse,aloneistrulyfair,shehintsatherdesiretogainwhatislimitedtoher.On

theonehand,sheiscontentwithherrealizationthatAdamishersoulmateandthatsheneeds

himtobespirituallycomplete.Ontheother,sheexpressesalongingforknowledgein

general.Inhermind,wisdomisthemostvaluablethingthatshecouldhave.Furthermore,

sinceshehasalreadyobtainedbeautyandgrace,wisdomisallshehaslefttoseek.
 Sucato8

ThiscuriosityaboutknowledgeseemstolingerwithEvefortherestofthedayand

intothenight.Yet,althoughitplaysacentralroleinherpropheticdream,criticstendto

ignoreitasamotivationforherunconsciousactions.Instead,Satantakesprecedenceinthe

dreamsceneastheantagonisticmotivatorbehindEveseventualsin.Ingeneral,thequestion

ofwhetherSatanmaintainsaninfluenceoverEvehasprovokedcriticsthroughouttheyears.

Asthetwodeviantcharacterswithinthetext,EveandSatanareessentialtothedevelopment

oftheplot.Theirinteractionswithoneanotherareparticularlyfascinating,sinceneitherof

themisdirectlyconnectedtoGod.Furthermore,theirthoughtsandmotivationsarenot

alwaysapparentsince,unlikeAdam,theydonotcontinuallyseekGodsfavor.Becauseof

this,thesceneinwhichEverelatesherdreamtoAdamissomewhatconfusing.Evesdesires

andbeliefsinthismomentarenotatallclear,especiallywhenoneconsidersSatanspossible

influenceoverher.Eveisnotclearlyobedienttoonepersonoridea,butseemstofeel

simultaneouslyallegianttoAdam,God,andherself.Thisis,perhaps,theproblemwith

Eve,orthereasonwhyshecausessomanydifficultiesforthecharacterswithinthetextand

forthecriticsstudyingit.Sheisnotblindlyobedienttoanyonething,butinsteaddetermines

forherselfwhatshebelievesisright.

SatansattempttocorruptEveinhersleepiswhatmakesherdreamsuchapointof

controversy.Thenightofthedream,SatansneaksintoEdenand,intheguiseofatoad,

whisperscorruptwordstoher.Hehopesthat,byinspiringvenom,hemighttaint/Th

animalSpiritsthatfrompurebloodarise(4.804805).HisgoalistobringforthEvesbasic

humaninstinctsasameansofweakeningherdedicationtoGod.HebelieveshisDevilish

art(4.801)willpoisonherpurebloodenoughtomakeherquestionwhatshepreviously
 Sucato9

acceptedanddesirewhatisrestrictedtoher.Heseemstoknowthathecannotconvinceher

outrighttogoagainstGodsword,buthebelieveshecanintroduceenoughdoubtintoher

mindtomakeherquestionhermakersrestrictions.

WhileEvedoesreacttoSatansvenomouswords,sheisnotmovedtoquestionGods

commandsaseasilyasSatanwouldhope.Instead,sheappearssoupsetandperturbedbythe

nightseventsthatitremainsunclearwhetherSatantrulyinfluencesher.Shebeginsby

describingtoAdamthetroubleandconfusionthatsheKnewnevertillthisirksomnight

methought/Closeatmineearonecalldmeforthtowalk/Withgentlevoice,Ithoughtit

thine(5.3537).Eveisconsciousthatthisnightissomehowsignificantlydifferentfromher

otherones.Shefeelstroubledbytheeventsinthedreamanddoesnotknowwhattomakeof

themorhowtorelatethemtoherwakingexistence.Herimaginedadventureseemssoreal

thatshehastroubledistinguishingactualityfromimagination.Sheisawarethathernighttime

adventureisanunusualoccurrence,sincesheneverencounteredanythinglikeituntilthis

irksomnight.Yetthemethoughtthatfollowsthisphraseissignificant.Althoughitispart

ofthesentenceinthefollowingline,itislocatedonthesamelineasthisirksomnight.

Thissuggeststwodifferentmeanings.Ontheonehand,Everelateshowshethoughtshe

heardavoicebyherear.Ontheother,Eveexpressesdoubtoverherexperienceandleaves

openthepossibilitythatshecouldhavehadsuchdisturbingdreamsasthisoneinthepast

andjustnotrememberthem.Thatthisoneoccurredatallworriesherandshebecomesmore

uncertainofherholdonreality.

Theissueofobediencetiesinheavilytothesecondpartofthisquotation.Evehearsa

gentlevoicethatcalldmeforthtowalk.Inherdreamshefollowsitwithoutquestion,
 Sucato10

sinceshebelievesittobeAdamcallingherintothegarden.Whatisfascinatinghereisthat

sheblindlyobeysanunembodiedvoicewithouteveraskingfororreceivingidentificationof

itsowner.Sheissosurethatthegentlevoicebelongstoherhusbandthatshedoesnotfeel

theneedtoconfirmherassumption.Admittedly,atthispointinthepoemEvehasonlyheard

thevoicesofAdamandGodsheavenlycreations.AsAdamisherpartnerandtheperson

withwhomshespendstheentiretyofherdays,hersuppositionthatthevoicemustbe

Adamsdoesnotseementirelyunfounded.WhatismoreisthatRaphaelhasnotyetwarned

herandAdamofSatanortheimpendingdanger.Shehasnoreasontobelievethevoice

wouldbelongtosomeonetryingtoharmher.Becauseofthis,herobediencetothevoiceis

notsounreasonableafterall.Shebelievesthatbyfollowingthevoiceshewillbeobeyingher

husbandscommand.Upuntilthismoment,obediencehasalwaysbeenagoodthing.Eve

knowsthatbylisteningtoAdamanddoingassheistold,shecanupholdherobedienceto

God.SinceGodhaskeptherignorantoftheevilaroundherandtoldhertoremainobedient

toherhusband,herdreamdecisiontofollowthevoiceintothegardencanhardlybe

objectionable.

However,asthedreamcontinues,herobediencetoGodwaversasshebeginstofeel

thelureoftemptation.ShesoonrealizesshehasbeenblindlyfollowingnotAdamsvoice,

butaseeminglyangelicone.Thisheavenlyfiguretriestotemptherwithcomplimentsand

appealtoherdesiretodiscovertheunknown.WhenhefinallyeatsfromtheTreeofthe

KnowledgeofGoodandEvil,Eveisshocked.Yetshecannotdismissherlingeringcuriosity

aboutthetasteandthepowerofthefruit.Thekeymomentcomeswhenthebeingoffershera

sample.

Eventomymouthofthatsamefruitheldpart
 Sucato11

Whichhehadplucktthepleasantsavouriesmell
Soquickndappetite,thatI,methought,
Couldnotbuttaste.(5.8386)

Byplacingthefruitevento[Eves]mouth,Satan,intheguiseofanangel,makesit

impossibleforEvetoignorethefruitinquestion.Evenmoreinterestingisthefactthathe

offersherthatsamefruitthathealreadytasted.TheideathatheandEvecouldsharethe

fruitisbothtroublingandsuggestive.Thereisanobvioussexualundertonetothemoment,

sinceSatanwantsEvetoeatfromthesamefruit,thesameseed,thathealreadysampled.

Thereisasuggestedintimacythatcomesfromsharingthefood.Byeatingthefruitafter

Satanhasalreadybittenintoit,Evewouldplaceherlips,asomewhatsacredpartofherbody,

ontothesamespotasSatanhasalreadyplacedhis.Thismomentofsharingsuggeststhat,by

eatingtheapple,notonlywouldEvebreakherobediencetoGod,butshewouldalsobreak

herobediencetoAdam.AlthougheatingthefruitSatanoffersisnotanovertbetrayal,it

certainlycarriessexual,deviantimplications.

Overall,however,Eveisnotdrawntothefruitforeitheritssexualorintellectual

symbolicvalue.Instead,sheisattractedmoretoitsphysicalqualitiesthananythingelse.

EvenafterSatanattemptstopersuadeherwithideasaboutincreasedknowledgeand

heavenlyaspirations,Evestillnoteshowthepleasantsavouriesmellenticesher.Sucha

reactionsuitsEvesnature.Herfaithfulnesstoherhusbandremainsintactasshepraisesthe

beautyofthefruitbeforeher.Herresponseseemslikeanaturalone,sincesheisstrongly

attachedtoEdenandthelifewithinit.Shecannothelpbutadmireoneofthegardens

products,justasshecouldnothelpadmiringherreflectioninthewater.Inthismoment,the

parallelsbetweenEveandthefruitbecomeclear.Bothareattractiveproductsofnaturethat
 Sucato12

embodythebeautyofGodscreativepowers.Yetbothalsoactasforcesoftemptation,since

EvehasastrongdesiretoeatthefruitjustasAdamhasanoverwhelmingneedtobewith

Eve.

WhetherEveeventuallyeatsthefruituponwhichshegazesisanotherstoryentirely.

Herdescriptionleavesthesupposedlyclimacticmomentinthedreamshroudedinambiguity.

Sheisclearlytemptedbythesavouriesmell,andherresultingquickndappetitemakes

herconsumptionofthefruitseemjustmomentsaway.However,withthereappearanceof

methoughtandnoclearstatementaboutherbitingintoanything,itremainsunclear

whetherEveactuallydreameatsthefruitornot.Methoughtimpliestwodifferentideas

here,namelythatEveeitherseeseatingthefruitasthelogicalnextsteporthatshedoubts

hermemoriesofthatmoment.Hernextfourwordsdonotprovideanymoreclarity,since

couldnotbuttastemeansneitherIdidtastenorIdidnottaste.Thetwonegativewords

inthephrase,notandbut,highlightEvesadversarialrelationshipwitheating.Shewants

totastetheappealingfruitbutknowsthattodosowouldgoagainstAdamsand,by

extension,Godsdesires.Perhapsforthisreasonsherefrainsfromclarifyingherfinal

decision,sincetohaveclearlyeatentheapplewouldhaveimmediatelydoomedhertothe

fall.Ofcourse,herconflictingdesiresalonemakeheratargetforheavenlyconcern.Onthe

onehand,shewantstoobeyherhusbandandhercreator.Ontheothersheiscuriousand

wantstolistentohersensesandexperiencetherestricted.Byleavingthelistenerwitha

vagueunderstanding,shemaintainshercomfortablepositionwithinEden.Shemaynotbeas

unwaveringlydevotedtoGodasAdamis,butsheknowsthatGodslawispowerfulandthat

disobeyingitcouldleadtosevereconsequences.
 Sucato13

RegardlessofwhetherornotEveeatsthefruit,sheisgenuinelyaffectedbythe

eventsofthenight.Herfinalstatementhighlightshermixedemotionsaboutthedreamand

aboutwhatshedidwithinit.SheendshernarrativebytellingAdam,OhowgladIwakd/

Tofindthisbutadream!(5.9293).Theenjambmentinthislinesucceedsatconveying

Evesconfusionovertheevent.Sheisbothdelightedanddismayedbyherimaginedactions.

Whentakenalone,OhhowgladIwakdimpliesthatEvehadanenjoyablenightand

continuestofeelpleasedevenuponwaking.Ithintsatherpossiblecontentmentin

disobeyingGodandeatingthesolerestrictedfruit.Thesecondline,however,servesto

temperEveshappinessandbringherbackintotherealmofGodslaw.Sheexpressesrelief

overherdiscoverythattheeventsofthenightwereonlyinherimagination.Yetherpleasure

overthisfactcannotnecessarilybeexplainedawaybyherfeelingsofsadnessoverher

imaginedactions.Shecouldalsoberelievedtoknowthatshewastheonlyonetoexperience

thisdreamandknowthetrueeventsofthenight.Intheend,Evealoneholdsthetruthofthe

dreamwhileAdamcanonlytrusthernarrativeblindly.Inthiswayshemaintainsanovert

obediencetoAdamandtoGod.Herthoughtsanddesiresontheinside,however,remainall

herown.

ThisexternalobedienceiswhatallowsEvetomaintainherreputationasthe

untainted,faithfulwifeforsolong.UpuntilthesceneofthefallinBook9,Eveis,forthe

mostpart,amodelwife.SheobeysherhusbandandobtainsGodswordthroughhim.Yet

herobedienceagainbringsupthequestionaboutwherehertrueloyaltylies.Ascommittedto

GodasEvemaybe,shedoesnotreceivemessagesfromGodasAdamdoesandtherefore

mustrelyuponthesecondhandinformationthatherhusbandprovides.Becauseofthis,Eve
 Sucato14

seemstobemoreobedienttoAdamthansheistoGod.Herindirectconnectiontohercreator

meansthatherunderstandingofGodscommandsisinevitablyweakerthanAdams.Perhaps

forthisreasonitiseasierforhertodivergefromtheunquestioningobediencethatAdam

practices.ThesceneinwhichEvesuggeststoAdamthattheyseparatetoworkondifferent

tasksisoneofthemostcrucialmomentsinthediscussionofobedience,secondonlytothe

momentinwhichEveeatstheapple.Shecasuallyoffersanalternativetotheirunited

workforce,saying,Thouthereforenowadvise/Orhearwhattomymindefirstthoughts

present,/Letusdivideourlabours(9.212214).Priortothismoment,AdamandEve

workedtogethergardeningandtendingtotheplantlifeinEden.Evessuggestionhereseems

unpremeditated,althoughwecannotbeentirelysuresinceweneverreceiveaglimpseinto

herthoughtprocess.Instead,wecanonlyassumethathertrainofthoughtisspontaneousand

new.Admittedly,thisisquitepossible.Thisisthefirstmomentinthetextthatshemakesany

attempttoseparatefromherhusband,asevidencedbytomymindefirstthoughtspresent.

Herideadoesnotseemtobeinherentlysinfulandinsteadseemslikeanattempttobemore

productiveandtocareforthegardenGodprovidesthem.

Regardless,itisthesuggestionitselfthatoffersthemostilluminationintoEves

obedience.Nomatterwhatherintentis,herideatoseparatecallsintoquestionGodssystem

ofcreation.GoddesignedthehumanracewithAdam,orman,asitsleader.Byleaving

Adam,evenifforjustashortperiodoftime,Eveliterallyandsymbolicallybreaksfrom

patriarchalinfluenceandfromhercharacterasanobedientcreature.Shebecomesan

independentbeing,freefromthecommandorauthorityofothers.YetEveshowsevidenceof

herdesireforindependencethroughjustherthoughtalone.Herideatoseparateisanoriginal
 Sucato15

one.Adamwouldneversuggestitsinceheistooenamouredofhereventoimagineleaving

herforamoment.GodwouldlikelynotapproveofiteitherbecauseitinvolvesEve

becomingtemporarilyindependentfromherhusbands,andGods,dominion.Eve

formulatesthisplanallonherown.Furthermore,shedoesnotbackdownfromitevenafter

Adamtriestodissuadeher.Heexplainshowmuchhewillmissher,butadmitshecould

allowashortpartingwithasweetreturne(9.250).Overallthough,hemakesclearthathe

prefershertoremainbyhissideforbothhersafetyandhispleasure.Heremindsherofthe

dangerofSatanandsuggeststhatitwouldbebetterforthemtoremainunitedand

untempted.

AlthoughAdamseemsparticularlyadamantaboutstayingtogether,Evedoesnotlet

goofherideaandinsteadarguesforitfurther.ShequestionsAdamsfaithinher

steadfastnesswhenshestates,Butthatthoushouldstmyfirmnesstherforedoubt/ToGod

orthee,becausewehaveafoe/Maytemptit,Iexpectednottohear(9.279281).Eves

responseherecanbeinterpretedinoneoftwoways.First,sheisgenuinelyshockedthather

husbanddoubtsher.ShebelievesthatherloveforAdamandhercommitmenttoGodwill

protectherfromSatanstrickeryandseesnoreasontobeconcernedbythethreat.Sheis

surprisedthatAdamwouldthinkitevenapossibilitythatshecouldbetemptedwhileaway

fromherhusbandsoversight.ThesecondinterpretationisthatEveusesAdamsdoubtsin

herfavorsoastofullyconvincehim.Sheplaysthestrengthoftheirbondagainsthim,since

toquestionherfaithfulnesswouldbetoquestionthepoweroftheirrelationship.Adam

cannothelpbutfallintohertrapsincehedoesnotwanttodispleasetheloveofhislife.Eve

knowsthatwhileAdamwouldprefertoremainwithheratalltimes,hewilllethergointhis
 Sucato16

instancesincetoforbidherwouldbetocallintoquestionthepurityoftheirloveforone

another.

Inthissituationthen,EveisnotobedienttoAdam.Ifshewere,shewouldnothave

broughtupherideaatallorwouldhavestoppedarguinginfavorofitassoonasAdam

expressedhisdoubts.Instead,herdesireforindependencewinsoutandshecontinuestopush

fortheirtemporaryseparationevenafterAdamhesitatestoaccepttheplan.Shepassesover

allofhiswordsofcautioninherdeterminationtomomentarilyleavehiscompany.Inwhat

seemslikearushtodepartintothegarden,shedeclares:

Withthypermissionthen,andthusforewarned
Chieflybywhatthyownlastreasoningwords
Touchdonely,thatourtrial,whenleastsought,
Mayfindeusbothperhapsfarrlessprepard(9.378381)

EventhoughAdamclearlywantstoremaininhercompany,Eveisadamantaboutheridea

andrefusestogiveitupsoeasily.Sheusesherhusbandsfeelingsforherasatooltohelp

hergetwhatshewants.EvesuccessfullyoverpowersAdaminthisscenebyexpressingan

originalideaandbydoingwhatshehastoinordertogetwhatshewants.Sheuseshercharm

togainherhusbandspermissiontowanderoutonherown.Granted,Eveassumesthis

permissionmorethanAdamgivesit.Yetsheobtainsitnevertheless.Shealsoattemptsto

reassureAdambyacknowledginghisforewarningoftheevillurkingaroundthegarden.She

hearshiswordsandwillobeythemasbestshecan.However,shealsohintsthatperhaps

Adamswarningwillnotbeenoughtoresistthetemptationtosin.Hiswordsofwarning

Touchdonelyuponthefullsignificanceofthedanger.Evewilltrytoobey,althougheven

herbesteffortsmaynotbesufficient.Shenotesthattheyareperhapsfarrlessprepardfor

theirtrialthanAdambelievesthemtobe.Eveissomehowcognizantoftheirignoranceof
 Sucato17

thedangerofsin.Shedoesnotknowwhatwillcomeofitall,butsherecognizesthatthe

temptationtheirunknownfoeprovidesisnotsomethingtobetakenlightly.Instead,itis

somethingforwhichneitherofthemcantrulyprepare,butforwhichtheybothmustremain

watchfulandwary.

Attheendofthisdiscussion,EvewinsthefreedomtoleaveAdamforawhileandto

beanindependentbeing.Ifonlyforashortperiod,sheisfreetodoasshepleasesandto

makeherownchoices.Sheisherownpersonanddoesnothavetoworryabouttheforceof

patriarchaljudgment.Significantly,aftershepromisestolookoutfortheFoethatplagues

thegarden,fromherHusbandshandherhand/Softshewithdrew(9.385386).Whilehand

imageryismeaningfulthroughouttheentiretext,itisparticularlysignificantinthismoment.

Notably,thefirstinstanceofhandholdingoccurswhenAdamseizesEveshandduringher

retellingofherfirstmomentsonearthinBook4.WhenAdamforcefullygrabsholdofEve

then,hephysicallyandsymbolicallybindshertohim.Eve,inthisinstance,livesuptoher

Godassignedimageofthesubmissive,unquestioningwifeandyieldstohim.

Bycontrast,thesceneinBook9showsamarkedlydifferentbehaviorbyEve.After

shepersistsinherdesiretoworkawayfromAdam,shesolidifiesthisdecisionbymakinga

physicalshowofseparationfromhim.Shebreakstheirunion,evenifitisforashorttime

only.Furthermore,thatEve,andnotAdam,enactsthephysicaldistancinghighlightsher

disobedienceofGodshierarchicalstructure.SheistheonewhoseeksindependenceAdam

wouldprefertoremainasneartoheraspossible.ByremovingherhandfromAdams,Eve

becomestheauthorityfigureintheirrelationship.Herbeautyandperfectionhelpherto

influenceandgaincontroloverAdam.Sheisfarfromobedientinthisscene.Althoughshe
 Sucato18

attemptstousehercharmtosoftentherealityofheraction,suchasbysoftly,andnot

forcefully,pullingawayfromherhusband,shestilldisobeyshispreferencesandsubverts

Godsauthoritativehierarchy.AccordingtoGodslaw,EveisunderbothGodandAdams

authority.Yetshesomehowbypassesthisregulationandcreatesatemporaryindependence

forherself.SheisasubtlerenegadefigureinGodsworld.AlthoughEve,unlikeSatan,never

actsmaliciouslyinaconsciousefforttosubvertGodsauthority,shestillmanagesto

underminehermakersrulesinherquestforindependence.WhileEvemaynotmeanto

undercutGodscreativeworks,herdesireforsomethingbeyondwhatshehasbeengiven

leadsherdownadangerouspathofsubtledisobediences.Whenshefinallyeatsthefruitof

theTreeoftheKnowledgeofGoodandEvil,shecommitstheultimateactofdisobedience

andforeverdestroysherlifeofblissfulignoranceinEden.

Overallthen,EvesdecisioninBook9toleaveAdamandworkindependently

signalsthebeginningoftheendofthecoupleslifeinEden.Eveunknowinglymakesherself

availabletoSatansadvanceswhenshestraysfromherhusbandspresence.Assheworks

aloneinthegarden,sheprovidestheserpentwiththeperfectopportunitytosneakintoher

presenceandattempttoconvincehertosin.YetwhileSatanisoftenblamedasthechief

perpetratorinAdamandEvesfallfromGodsgrace,Eveherselfseemstohaveahigh

degreeofagency.Shehasnoonetorestrainhermindorheractionsinthissceneanduses

hertemporaryfreedomtothinkandquestionasshepleases.Shemakesherthoughtprocess

clearandspendsafairamountoftimeponderingoverwhetherornottoeatthefruit.When

shefinallybitesintotheapple,shedoessoofherownfreewillandwithoutanymotivation

toobeyanyoneotherthanherself.
 Sucato19

WhenSatanastheserpentmaneuvershiswayintohersight,Eveistakenbysurprise.

AlthoughshedoesnotsuspecttheserpentofbeingtheevilFoeaboutwhichshehasbeen

warned,sheiscuriousaboutitsspeakingabilities,andsoshecontinuestoconversewithitin

anattempttolearnmoreaboutwhyitissodifferentfromtheotheranimals.However,her

curiosityturnsintoapprehensiononcesherealizeswhereSatanhasledher.Sheinitially

dismisseshiswordsofpraiseabouttheapple.

ButofthisTreewemaynottastenortouch
Godsocommanded,andleftthatCommand
SoleDaughterofhisvoicetherest,welive
Lawtoourselves,ourReasonisourLaw.(9.651654)

WhileEvesfirstwordshereseemlikearecitalofthedivinelawthathasbeenfedtoher,her

finalmessageprovidesimportantinsightintoherunderstandingofherownobedience.Eve

beginsbyrecognizingandrestatingGodsprimerestriction,thatneithershenorAdammay

tastenortouchtheTreeoftheKnowledgeofGoodandEvil.Thislineanditsfollowup,

thatGodsocommandedthislimitation,provethatEveacknowledgesGodasthesupreme

worldpower.GodsabilitytocreateandreinforcecommandmentsaboutEdenseems

reasonable,sincethegardenwouldnotexistatallwithouthisefforts.Furthermore,asthis

regulationistheSoledaughterofhisvoice,Evereasonsthatitshouldbemaintainedoutof

duerespecttoitsomnipotentmaker.

However,thephraseSoleDaughteralsoservestofurtherhighlighttheseparation

betweenGodandEve.Godscommandment,andnotEve,ishisonlydaughter.Hisword

holdsahighersignificancetohimthanEvedoes.Hemayhavecreatedher,butsheisnothis

ParadiseLost
daughterinthesamewaythatAdamishisson.Thislinein parallelsthestory

inGenesis6.14,whichnarratestheprocessofhumanprocreationonearth.Thehumanrace
 Sucato20

KingJamesBible
begantomultiplybecausethesonsofGodsawthedaughtersofmen( ,

Genesis6.2).ThisdescriptionoftherelationshipbetweenthedifferentsexesandGod

perfectlydescribesthecharacterizationofAdamandEvewithinthepoem.AlthoughAdam

isnottheheavenlySonofGod,heisGodssoninthesensethatGodcreatedhim.Eve,

however,isnotGodsdaughter.AlthoughGodprovidedthespiritualforcetocreateher,it

wasAdamwhocontributedthematerial.Inthisway,AdamisasonofGodwhileEve,in

accordancewiththeGenesischapter,isadaughterofman.

ThestatementfollowingthisdeclarationaboutGodssolerestrictionuponthetree

doesnothelptosupportthenotionofEvesunwaveringobediencetoGod.Onthecontrary,

insteadofspeakingaboutherdevotiontohermaker,Evementionsherrelativeindependence

fromanyholylimitations.Shenoteshow,withtheexceptionoftheTree,thegardenisopen

toherandAdam.TheyareLawtoourselves.Theyhavethepowertodoastheyseefit

andtocreatetheirownwayoflifewithinGodsparadise.Thistotalfreedomisregulated

onlybytheirintellectswhich,althoughGodgiven,stillallowthemtothinkandactasthey

please.EvesstatementthatourReasonisourlawillustrateshercomprehensionofherand

Adamsrelativeindependence.ShenoteshowReason,andnotGod,iswhatguidesthem

throughtheirdailyactivitiesandhelpsthemselectwhattodo.

Asanextensionofthisnotionthen,Evesobedienceliesmorecloselywithher

ReasonthanitdoeswithGod.AsinthecasewithEvesallegiancetoAdamversusGod,Eve

maintainsadirectconnectiontoherReasonandconsidersitherlawindeterminingwhatis

best.SheisstilllinkedtoGodthroughherrelationshipwithAdamandherexistenceinthe

gardeningeneral.However,whatisimportantisthatallherconnectionswithhermakerare
 Sucato21

ofasecondarynature.EveobeysGodbyobeyingherGodgivenreasoningabilities,justas

shealsoobeysGodbyobeyingherhusband.Furthermore,sinceAdamsreasongenerally

alignspreciselywithGodswill,Evealwaysknowswhatthedivineapproachtoanysituation

shouldbe.Ofcourse,asthesceneinwhichEvepersuadesAdamtoletherwork

independentlyillustrates,thesesecondarybondsallowEvesomeflexibilityinherlinkwith

God.Asthemomentsofthefallprove,EveupholdsherconnectionstobothAdamandher

ReasonevenwhenshestraysfromGodscommand.Sherecognizesthestrengthofher

primarytiesandchoosestosupportthemoverherindirectobediencetoGod.

EvefurtherillustratesherobediencetoherReasonduringhersoliloquyinBook9just

beforesheconsumestheapple.Shespendsasignificantamountoftimedecidingwhetherthe

serpentspeaksthetruthandwhethertheappleisaremedytoherignorance.Shenoteshow

GodforbidsherandAdamfromeatingfromthetreeeventhoughhehimselfpraisesit.He

sendsmixedmessagesabouttheroleoftheTree,sinceheForbidsusthentotaste,buthis

forbidding/Commendstheemore,whileitinferrsthegood(9.753754).Evemeditates

heavilyuponherallegiancetohermakerinthissection.SheisconfusedaboutwhyGod

wouldrestrictsomethingsogoodandsopowerfulfromhistwomostprizedcreations.His

banonthetreeissurprising,sincehegivesthecouplefreereinontherestofthegarden.He

limitsthemfromthisonesourceofknowledgeeventhoughheseemstovaluetheir

acquisitionofknowledgeingeneral,suchaswhenhesendsRaphaeldowntospeakwith

AdaminBook5.Evedoesnotknowhowtosortthroughthismixedinformation.Atthis

point,hercuriosityispiquedandshedesirestolearnmoreaboutthetree.Sherecognizesthat

Godforbidsinteractionwiththetreeandyetshewantstoexperienceit.Thatshe
 Sucato22

acknowledgesthisconflictistroublinginregardtoherobediencetoGod.Shemakesno

attempttohideherinterestindoingwhatisforbiddenbyhermaker.Sheseemstobrush

asideherobediencetoGodinthismoment.Althoughshestillrecognizeshisdominance,she

alsorealizesthathislawcontainssomecontradictoryinformation.Herindecisionis

understandablehere,sinceshemustsettleherwarringallegiancestoGodandtoherown

Reason,respectively.SheknowssheshouldobeyGodsrestriction,andyetherReason

pointsouttheflawinhiscommandandguideshertoseektheknowledgethatshelacks.

Heronlyrealhesitationthenhastodowiththedeaththatcouldresultfromeatingthe

apple.ShewondersaboutthetruthofGodswarning,thatiftheyeatofthetreetheywilldie.

Sheattemptstobalancethisquestionabletruthwithherlongingtogainwisdom.Shedoesnot

understandwhyGod

Forbidsusgood,forbidsustobewise?
Suchprohibitionsbindenot.ButifDeath
Binduswithafterbands,whatprofitsthen
Ourinwardfreedom?...(9.759762)

ThepowerdynamicillustratedintheselinesprovidesaclearpictureofEvesreasoning

aboutherobedience.Sheisclosetoconvincingherselftoeattheappleandyetshestillis

waryaboutthepossibilityofdeath.ShedeclaresthatGodsmereforbiddingofher

consumptionoftheappledoesnothingtoswayherfromherdesiretoeatit.SheseesGodas

thesupremelygoodandwiseruleranddoesnotunderstandwhyhewouldwanttolimither

andAdamfromachievingasimilarstatus.ShedisagreeswithGodsprincipleofknowledge

withinbounds.HerstatementthatSuchprohibitionsbindenotispowerful,sincethroughit

sherevokesGodsbanonthetreeasameansoflimitingthemfrombecomingbetterand

wiserindividuals.SherejectsherobediencetoGodinthisinstancebecauseshedoesnot
 Sucato23

agreewithhisordinance.Itseemsthatiftherewerenoriskofdeathattachedtoeatingthe

apple,Evewouldhavetakenabitelongago.

Thepossibilityofdeathdoesexist,however.EveworrieswhetherdeathwillBindus

withafterbands.Inotherwords,sheisfearfulabouttheconsequencesthatcouldcomefrom

eatingtheapple.Shedoesnotwanttogothroughthetroubleofobtainingthegoodnessand

wisdomonlytodieafewmomentslater.Herquestionwhatprofitsthen/Ourinward

freedom?showsherreasonablelineofthinking.Evedoessomethingsimilartoa

costbenefitanalysishereasshepondersoverwhetherornottoconsumethefruit.She

concernsherselfwithwhichaction,namelyabstinenceorconsumption,willprofitherthe

most.Shewantstomaketheselectionthatwillmostbenefitherownexistence,regardlessof

whatGodcommands.IntermsofgarneringEvesobedience,GodisnomatchfortheReason

hebestoweduponher.

AsEvesdecisionafewlineslatershows,thelureofwisdomandgoodnesstrumps

thepossibilityofdeath.EveweighshertwooptionsanddeterminesthatGodsthreatof

deathisnotenoughtopreventherfromgainingtheknowledgethathealreadyhas.She

concludesherspeechbyaskingwhathindersthen/Toreach,andfeedatoncebothBodie

andMind?(9.778779).ThewordhindersiscrucialincomprehendingEvesimpetusto

finallyeattheapple.Notonlydoesitoperateonaphysicalunderstanding,butitalsoworks

onamentalone.NothingphysicallypreventsEvefromreachingup,plucking,and

consumingapieceofthetreesfruit.Similarly,nothingmentallyblocksEvefromactingon

herdesireandseekingtheforbidden.Sheovercomesthetwothingsstandinginherway,

namelyGodandherfearofdeath,sothatshecanobtaintheknowledgeofthefruit.Although
 Sucato24

shedoesnotsinuntilshephysicallybitesintotheapple,therebybreakingGodsprime

commandment,shedoesrejectherobediencetoGodindegreesleadinguptohermomentof

sin.WhatbeginswithhersuggestiontoworkseparatelyfromAdamturnsintohergrowing

interestinthetreeandendswithherdismissalofGodsprohibition.WhenEveconsumesthe

apple,sheisobedienttoherReasonalone.Godmaystillhavepoweroverher,sincehedoes

ejectherandAdamfromthegarden,buthecannotcommandasupremegovernanceover

her.Eveisherownleader,thankstoherGodgivenreasoningabilities.Shetakesadvantage

ofthefreewillGodgrantedherandAdamandreasonsherwaytotheactionshebelievesis

best.

AFTERTHEFALL

TheSerpentwise,/Ornotrestraindaswee,ornotobeying,/Hatheatnofthefruit

(9.867869)

AfterEveeatstheforbiddenfruitfromtheTreeoftheKnowledgeofGoodandEvil,

theworldrecognizesherasafallenwoman.ShedirectlydisobeysGodscommandmentand

doestheonethingthatisprohibitedtoher.InGodseyes,Evesactioncannotbeforgotten

orforgiven,sincetodosowouldbetomakeitadmissibleforfuturegenerationstoact

againstGod.YetEvedoesnotimmediatelyfeelanyholyrepercussions.Instead,sherevelsin

hernewfoundknowledge.ShemaybefalleninGodsmind,butsheiselevatedinherown.If

foronlyashorttime,Evehasbothexperienceandindependence.Sheisherownwoman,

withnoguideexceptherownmind.
 Sucato25

ImmediatelyafterEvetakesherfilloftheapple,shespeaksofhernewfound

knowledge.Sheacknowledgesherpriorignoranceandgloriesinherenlightenment.She

praisestheapplesgifttoher,sayingExperience,nexttotheeIowe,/Bestguidenot

followingthee,Ihadremaind/Inignorance,thouopnstWisdomsway(9.807809).Eves

reasonleadshertohernewguide,experience.Shecallsexperienceherbestguide,thereby

leavingnoroomforGodasherleader.Shedoesnotfeeltheneedtolistentohermakernow

thatshehasawealthofknowledgetodirecther.Sheacknowledgesherobedienceto

experienceandnoteshowitpulledheroutofherignorantexistence.Beforeshebegan

following[experience],shewasstuckwiththemeagerbitofknowledgeGodgaveherand

Adam.ShehadnootheroptionbuttowaitforGodtopresenther,bywayofAdam,withthe

informationhethoughtfitforhertohave.Sheremaind/Inignorance,withoutanywayof

escapingfromherrestrictedexistence.ThesnakespresentationofthetreetoEveiswhat

giveshertheopportunitytoescapefromGodsauthority.Oncesheusesherreasonto

convinceherselfthateatingthefruitisthebestthingtodo,shedoesnotlookback.She

creditsthefruit,andtheexperiencesheobtainsfromit,withopeningWisdomsway.Her

experiencegivesherknowledgeanddirectsheractions.Atthispoint,shefeelsshehasallthe

informationsheneedstoguideherinlife.SheiscontenttoreplaceGodwiththewisdomshe

gainsfromexperience.

AlthoughEverathereasilydiscountsGodsauthorityoverher,shehasahardertime

figuringoutwhattodowithAdam.SheisawarethatGodintendedhertobeobedienttoher

husband.Yetsheisunsureofwhethertocontinuetoobeythishierarchynowthatshehas

knowledgeandindependence.Shewondersifherwisdomwillrendermemoreequal,and
 Sucato26

perhaps,/Athingnotundesireable,somtime/Superior:forinferiorwhoisfree?

(9.823825).SherecognizesthatherobediencetoAdamisalimitationtoherself.Sheloves

herhusband,butsheknowsthatshecannotbetrulyfreeifsheremainssubjecttohis

command.ShebelievesthatherknowledgecanbringhergreaterequalitywithAdam,whom

Godprivilegeswithmoreinformationabouttheworld.Shewantstoexistonthesamelevel

ofunderstandingasherhusbandsothattheycanbetrulyequalpartners.Herdesirefor

equalityoverobedienceisadirectrenunciationofGodscreationofthecoupleasNot

equal,astheirsexnotequalseemd(4.296).Shehopeshernewintellectwillmakeupforthe

inferioritythatGodattachedtohersex.ShewantstouseherknowledgetoovercomeGods

creativepower.SheisunhappywithhisrankingofherasinferiortoAdam.Shewantsmore

thanshehasbeengivenandmakesaconsciousefforttoremedythisimbalanceofpower.

YetequalityisnottheonlythingthatEveseekstogaininherrelationshipwith

Adam.Whileshedoeslooktoestablishherselfasanequaltoherhusband,shealsoslipsinto

herspeechherdesiretobesomtime/Superior.EvesaspirationsarefargreaterthanGod

everhadinmind.NotonlydoesshewanttoremovetheinequalitybetweenherandAdam,

butshealsowantstobeabletohavetheoccasionalupperhandintheirrelationship.Before

thefall,Adamisthesuperiorbeing,asperGodscreation.Afterthefall,Evetemporarily

gainsasuperiorwisdomoverAdam.Sheappreciatesherincreaseinintellect,asithelpsto

satisfyherlongingforfairwisdom(4.491).Itallowshertoexist,ataminimum,onanequal

levelwithAdamand,atamaximum,atalevelsuperiortoAdam.Eveenjoysthisfreedom,

sinceineithercasesheisnotinferiortoherhusband.Inferiority,andtherestrictionthatgoes

alongwithit,isaseriousconcernforEve.Asherfinalquestioninthequoteaboveillustrates,
 Sucato27

Evewantstoexistasafreewomanandfreedomisinconsistentwithinferiority.Sheworries

aboutrevertingbacktohersubordinatestatusnowthatshehashadatasteoftheapples

wisdom.

Althoughthisconcernforequalitydoesplagueher,itdoesnotpreventherfrom

decidingtosharetheapplewithAdam.Itisnotobedience,butlovethatconvincesEveto

seekoutherhusband.HerloveforAdamoverpowersanydesiretomaintaintheupperhand

intheirrelationship.Whensheimagineshislifewithouthershortlyaftereatingofthefruit,

sheishorrifiedatthethoughtofbeingbanishedandreplaced.Sherefusestobreaktheir

connectiontopreservehersuperiorityofexperience,especiallyifitmeansthatAdamwill

findhimselfanotherEve(9.828).Althoughherfearofbeingoutdonebyahypothetical

replacementdoessupporttheideaofEveasthejealouswife,italsospeakstoherdesireto

maintaintheirrelationshipassoulmates.EveisscaredbythepossibilitythatAdamwilllearn

tolovesomeoneelsejustasmuch,ormore,thanhealreadylovesher.Shewantstobehis

onlypartnerandwillnotletherdisobediencegetinthewayofthat.

Shereturnstohimwiththehopethathewillsharehersinandgaintheforbidden

knowledge.Sheattemptstouseherreasontoconvincehimtotakethebite.Shetellshim

howtheSerpentwise,/Ornotrestraindaswee,ornotobeying,/Hatheatnofthefruit

(9.867869).Eveswordchoicehereilluminateshercomprehensionofthecouplespower

relationshipwithGod.SheexpressesherfrustrationsaboutthelimitationsthatGodhas

imposeduponthemandhopesthatAdamwillshareherview.Inherspeechshegivesthree

differentreasonsfortheserpentsabilitytoconsumethefruit.Herfirstdescriptionofthe

serpentaswiseissomewhatproblematic,sinceitpotentiallygivestheserpentalarge
 Sucato28

amountofinfluenceoverEvesdecisiontoeattheapple.Ifhiswisdomiswhatpushesher

intosinning,thenSatanreallydoeshaveasignificanthandinthefall.However,basedupon

Evesspeechpriortothismoment,itdoesnotseemthatthisinterpretationisthemostlikely

one.Instead,itismoreprobablethatshereferstohisspeakingabilitiesandhiswisdomin

relationtoothermembersofhisspecies.Heiswiseincomparisontotheothercreatures.

However,hiswisdomisnotwhatconvincesEvetoeattheapple.Hemayleadhertoit,but

herdecisiontoconsumeitintheendisallherown.

Evessecondtworeasonsfortheserpentsactionhavemuchtodowiththeroleof

obedienceinthegarden.ShetellsAdamthattheserpentisnotrestraindaswee,and

thereforenotprohibitedfromeatingthefruit.Theserpentisnotrestrainedontwolevels.

Unliketheotheranimalsinthegarden,itisnotphysicallyrestrainedfromreachingthefruit.

AsitmentionstoEveearlieroninBook9,itcanslitherupthetreeandeatasitpleases.The

serpentisnotrestrainedbyauthorityeither.Itsaysitreceivednocommandtostayaway

fromtheapple.Evesstatementhereprovidesadirectcontrastbetweentheserpentsfreedom

andherandAdamslimitations.Theserpent,whoisasupposedlylesspowerfulandless

intelligentbeingthanGodshumancreations,somehowhastheabilitytoclimbthetreeand

eattheforbiddenfruiteventhoughEveandAdamdonot.Certainly,AdamandEvearestill

wiserthantheserpentoverall.Yetthey,Godsmostprizedcreations,arestilllimitedfrom

themostpotentsourceofknowledgewithinthegarden.Evetakesissuewiththisrestriction

andhopesthatAdamwilltoo.

Evesthirdandfinalhypothesisaboutwhytheserpentisabletoeattheapplealigns

mostcloselywithherownlineofreasoning.ItalsoseemstobewhatmosttroublesAdam,
 Sucato29

who,otherthantheSon,isGodsmostobedientbeing.Aftershesaysthattheserpentisnot

asrestrainedassheandAdamare,shealsosuggeststhatitisnotobeying.Theplacement

ofthisphrasewithinthepoemissignificant.ItfunctionsasbothanafterthoughttoEves

logicandasthemainpointofherwordstoAdam.Inafirstreadthrough,itseemsthatEve

brainstormsmultipleideasaboutwhytheserpentisabletoeatfromthetree.Thefirsttwo

optionstakeprecedenceinherspeechwhilehersuggestionaboutobediencereadslike

anotherpossibilityshetacksonattheend.However,itisthislastoption,howbynot

obeying,/[theserpent]hatheatnofthefruit(9.868869),thatdirectlyconnectswiththe

lineabouttheserpentsaction.OnlybydisobeyingGodcouldtheserpentconsumethefruit

ofthetree.ThislastoptionlingersattheendofthelineandhelpsEvetosubtlyconveyto

Adamherownreasonsforeatingtheapple.Whentakentogetherthen,Eveshypotheses

abouttheserpentseemactuallytobeherownreasonsforbreakingGodscommand.Not

onlydoesshedesiretobewise,butshealsowantstobreakfreeofGodsrestrictions.Inthe

end,sheseesdisobedienceastheonlywaytoachievethesetwothings.Eatingfromthetree

isthesupremedisobedienceagainstGod.Itisalsotheoneactionthatgivesherknowledge

andfreedom,thetwothingsshecanneverachieveunderGodsdirection.

Unsurprisingly,EvespersuasioniseffectiveandAdamwillinglysubmitstoher

requesttosharehersinfulstate.ImmediatelyafterAdameatsthefruit,thecouplerejoicein

theirnewunderstandingandexperience.Theyenjoythegreaterknowledgethatresultsfrom

theirdisobedienceofGodsauthority.Theirsentimentschange,however,oncetheyawaken

fromtheirnightofcelebratorylovemaking.Theybegintobickerandcritiqueeachothers

actionsleadinguptotheirsin.AdamlamentsEvesdecisiontoignorehisadviceand
 Sucato30

separatefromhim.EverefusestotaketheblameAdamtriestoplaceitonherandinstead

twistshiscritiqueintoacomplaintofherown.

BeingasIam,whydidstnotthoutheHead
Commandmeabsolutelynottogo,
Goingintosuchdangerasthousaidst?
Toofacilthenthoudidstnotmuchgainsay,
Nay,didstpermit,approve,andfairdismiss.
Hadstthoubinfirmandfixtinthydissent,
NeitherhadItransgressd,northouwithmee.(9.11551161)

EvedeliversabitingcritiqueofAdamsfutileattempttopreventherfromworkingaway

fromhim.SheplacesGodsmaritalhierarchyatthecenterofherargument.SheusesGods

structuretoherownbenefithereinordertoplacetheblameonAdam.Shebeginsherspeech

withsomethingofaselfdeprecatingcomment.YethercritiqueaboutbeingasIamserves

moretoremovethefaultfromherandredirectittoAdam.Shesaysthathe,theHead,

shouldhavebeenmoreawareofhermentallyandsociallyinferiorstateandshouldhave

prohibitedherfromleavinghim.CallingAdamtheHeadhighlightsEvesunderstandingof

herprelapsarianobediencetohim.AsperGodscreativedecision,AdamistheHeadof

themarriageintermsofbothintellectandauthority.Godprivilegeshimwithmore

informationabouttheworldandgiveshimcontroloverEveandheractions.Yetincalling

himtheHead,Evealsorecognizesherinseparablebondwithherhusband.AdamisEves

leaderonlybecauseheexistsinapairwithher.Authorityrequiressubservientfiguresover

whichonecanpreside.InorderforAdamtohavecontrol,Godhadtoprovidehimwith

someoneoverwhomhecouldexercisehispower.Adammaintainsauthorityonlybecausehe

existsinaunitwithEve.Inthissense,althoughhedoeshaveacertainlevelofcommand,he

isnotfullyautonomous.HeneedsEvetomaintainhispowerandcontinuelivingahappy
 Sucato31

life.AlthoughEvetriestomakeAdamouttobetheallpowerfulauthorityintheir

relationship,Adamscodependencepreventshimfromexercisinghissupremacyoverher.

EveembarksdownthepathtosinbecauseAdamdoesnothavetheauthoritytostop

her.Sheclaimsthat,sinceAdamwasthemoreauthoritativememberofthepairbeforethe

fall,heshouldhaveknowntoCommandmeabsolutelynottogo.Eveswordchoiceinthis

lineispowerful.ItsuggestsatonceAdamssupremepowerofauthorityandEvesmental

independencebeforethefall.GodmadeAdamthesuperiormemberofthepairandtheleader

intheirrelationship.EvenotesthatAdamhadthepowertocommandhertoremainwithhim

evenifhedidnottakeadvantageofit.Hecertainlyexpresseshisreluctancetoseeherleave

himinthatscene.Yetheneverdirectlyprohibitsherfromdeparting.Hisloveforherblinds

himandhedoesnotthinktousehisauthoritativepowertostopher.Infact,suchacommand

fromAdamislikelytheonlythingthatwouldhavekeptEvefromleaving.Eveistheone

whocomesupwiththeideatoworkseparatelyandtheonlyonewitharealinterestindoing

it.ShehearsAdamspreferencetoremainwithherandyetshestillpushesforheridea.Now,

afterthefact,EvetellsAdamthatthingsmighthavebeendifferentifhehadusedhis

authorityoverher.Sherequiredcleardirectionfromhiminthatmoment.Shesaysheshould

havecommandedherabsolutelynottogo.Hisabsolutedictatewouldhaveleftnoroomfor

hertomaneuveraroundhisauthoritywithoutdirectlydisobeyinghim.Itdoesnotseemlikely

thatEvewouldrejectanorderfromAdam,sinceherlovekeepsherdevotedtohim.Because

henevergoessofarastodemandthatshestayinhispresence,Evefeelsfreetodepartand

exploreasshepleases.
 Sucato32

Eveemphasizesherinferiorstatusandcharacterizesherselfasanaivewomaninneed

ofAdamsguidanceandprotection.Sheaskshimwhyhedidnotdomoretopreventher

fromgoingintosuchdanger.Adamknewtherewasadarkpresenceinthegarden,thanks

toRaphaelspreviouswarning.Yetalthoughhedoesremindherofthisevil,hedoesnot

muchgainsayherdesiretoworkalone.Admittedly,Eveskipsoverthefactthatsheargued

againsthiswarningaboutthefoe,sayingthatshe,theweakerofthepair,waslesslikelytobe

approachedanddeceived.However,sheneversdeniesherinterestinleavingAdamsside.

Instead,shearguesthatthefaulthaslesstodowithherinterestandmoretodowithAdams

inabilitytocommandhertolistentohim.Sinceheneverissuesadirectordertoher,Eve

interpretsthisasasignofpermissionandapproval.WithoutAdamsfirmandfixt

requirementthatshestaywithhim,Evefeelsfreetowanderofftoherpleasing.Shereceives

noobviousorderandsoshehasnothingtoobey.

WhileEvemakesitclearthatshedidnotdisobeyAdamwhenshechosetowork

both
independently,shedoesstressthefactthatthey disobeyedGod.Sheforceshimtotake

theblamewithherinherfinalstatement.Sheadmitstohertransgressionagainsttheirmaker,

butnotesthatAdamhasfallenwithher.Theyhavebothsinned,andtheymustacceptit.

Thereisnoturningbacknow.EvewantsAdamtorealizethattheyareinthisquandary

together.Yetalthoughtheyhavebothsinnedandthereisnothingtheycandotochangethat,

EvesuggeststhatAdamisatfaultforsettingthemonthepathtosin.Hehadthepowerto

stopherfromleavingandyetherefrainedfromusingit.Ifhehaddemandedthatshe

remained,shemightneverhaveencounteredtheserpent.Yetassoonasshemeetsthe

serpentandeatstheapple,shedoomsAdamtothesamepath.HerdisobediencetoGodleads
 Sucato33

toAdamsdisobedienceaswell,sincehisattachmenttoheroverpowershistietoGod.Inthis

moment,GodsauthorityfailsbecausetheconnectionheforgedbetweenAdamandEveis

toostrong.AdamchoosestoobeyhiscommitmenttoEveoverhiscommitmenttoGod.

AlthoughheandEvehavedifferentmotivationsfordisobeyingtheirmaker,theyboth

disobeyintheend.Evedisobeysbecauseshedesiresknowledge,whileAdamdisobeys

becausehecannotbeartolivewithouthisbelovedwife.Theyeachdiscoversomethingthat

ismorevaluablethantheirobediencetoGod.

However,justbecauseEveandAdamdisobeyGodinfavorofwisdomand

companionship,respectively,theyarenotfreefromGodsauthority.Instead,theirdecision

tosinagainsttheirmakeronlypromptshimtocomedownmoreheavilyuponthem.Heis

stillthesupremeuniversalpower,regardlessofwhetherornothiscreationschoosetolisten

tohim.AdamandEvemaynotwanttoobeyhimafterthefall,buttheydonothavemuch

choiceinthematteronceGoddiscoverstheirtransgression.ThroughtheSon,Godbeginsby

confrontingAdamabouthisoffense.AdamsresponsehighlightsEvesinfluentialpower

overherhusband.HeadmitsthatHerdoingseemdtojustifiethedeed(10.142).Evemay

havebeendesignedastheinferiormemberofthepair,butshecertainlyhasmuchinfluence

overAdam.Herpresencecaptivateshisfullattentionwhenevertheyaretogether.Adam

cannothelpbuttopayattentiontoheranddowhateverittakestopleaseher.Inthemoment

Eveofferstheapple,Adamknowsthatshehassinnedandthatheractionwaswrong.Yetin

awayheractionwasalsoright,justbecauseitwasEvewhodidit.InAdamsmind,Evecan

donowrong.SheatetheappleandsoAdamfelthehadtoaswell,sinceEvehadalready

sinnedandhecouldnotimaginealifewithouther.Hisfaithandcommitmenttoher
 Sucato34

overpoweredhisreasonandhisdedicationtoGod.Intheend,hisonlyoptionwastofollow

suit.

AlthoughAdamadmitsheobeyedEve,andnotGod,whenheatetheapple,Evedoes

notreadilyacceptherowndisobedience.Instead,whenquestionedabouthercrime,Eve

responds,TheSerpentmebeguildandIdideate(10.162).WhenconfrontedbyGod,Eve

blameshersinontheserpent.Hewastheonewholedherdownthepathofsin.However,it

isimportanttonotethatshesaysshewasbeguildby,andnotobedientto,theserpent.

Admittedly,herstatementhereseemslikeaweakexcuseforheractions.Shemayhavebeen

directedtothetreebytheserpent,butshewasnevertrickedintoeatingtheapple.AsIfound

inmyearlieranalysis,Evemakesafreeandconsciousdecisiontoconsumethefruit.Sheis

she
notfollowinganyonescommandwhensheeats.Shebitesintotheapplebecause desires

theknowledgeitimparts.InherspeechtoGod,then,itseemsprobablethatsheislyingabout

beingdeceivedbytheserpent.Shedownplaysherunderstandinginthatmomentsoasto

retainhernaiveimageandconvinceGodofherunintentionalmisstep.AsperGodscreative

hierarchy,itismorelikelyforEvetohavebeentrickedbytheserpentthenforhertohave

consciouslydesiredsomethingforbiddentoher.Asfortheexcuseitself,itissignificantthat

shechoosestosayshewastrickedandnotthatsheobeyedtheserpent.Atnopointinthe

poemisitclearthatsheseesherconsumptionoftheappleasanactofobediencetothe

serpent.Withhernewfoundknowledge,shemaynowrecognizethattheserpentwastrying

totempther.Itiseasierforhertosaythatshewasdrawnintotheserpentsplanthanthather

independentdesireforknowledgehappenedtoalignwiththeserpentsaims.Shecanfeign

anunwittingdeceptionmoreeasilythanshecanadmittoGodthatshereadilydisobeyedhim.
 Sucato35

Duringthemomentofjudgment,GodrecognizesEveandAdamsignoranceinhis

punishmentofSatan.Hesaysthatthecouplewasnotconcernedaboutobtainingmore

knowledgebeforetheirintroductiontoSatansinfluence.Godsreasoninghereseemsto

alignexactlywithwhatEvehopedtoachievethroughheraboveexcuse.Yetitdoesnot

preventGodfromdolingoutasentencetothecouple.HiscommandmenttoEveislikelythe

worstpunishment,shortofdeath,thathecouldgiveher.NotonlyisEvecursedtopainful

childbirth,butGodalsodeclares,tothyHusbandswill/Thineshallsubmit,heeoverthee

shallrule(10.195196).Withjustahandfulofwords,GodundoesallofthestepsEvehas

takentogainknowledgeandpower.Bypunishingherwithpainfulchildbirth,heintroduces

hertothedarkersideofexperiencethathekepthiddenfromherandAdaminEden.Of

course,inhispunishmentofSatan,GodalsohintsthatEvesseedwillredeemthem.Yet

sinceneitherEvenorAdampickuponthisuntilBook12,theyarelefttodespairovertheir

sentence.TheymustacceptGodsjudgmentandexperienceboththepositiveandnegative

sidesofhumanlife.

ThesecondhalfofGodssentenceisfarworseforEveintermsofobedience.Eve

beginsthepoemasaninferiortobothGodandAdam.However,Adamsauthorityoverher

ismoreofaformality,sinceheloveshertoomuchtorestricther.Aftersheeatstheapple,

sheistemporarilymoreindependentandmoreknowledgeablethanherhusband.Sheishis

intellectualsuperiorforashortperiodoftime.OnceshesharestheapplewithAdam,

however,thecouplebecomeasclosetoequalastheywilleverbe.Theybothhavethesame

newunderstandingoftheworldandhavecommittedthesamecrimeagainstGod.This

equalitydoesnotlasthowever.GodisquicktorestoreAdamssuperiorityandemphasize
 Sucato36

Evesinferiority.Fromthispointon,Evehasnootheroptionbuttobeasubmissive,

obedientwife.GoddeclaresthatEveshallsubmittothyHusbandswill,regardlessof

whethershewantstoornot.Adamisthepatriarchal,authoritativefigureintheirrelationship

andEvemustdoashecommands.Godsfinalstatement,thatheeovertheeshallrule,

servestoemphasizeGodspunishmentandmakeitimpossibleforEvetoescapefromher

inferiority.AdamisaboveEveinthemaritalhierarchy.Heistheonewhowilldecidetheir

actionsandcontroltherestoftheirlivesoutsideofEden.Inthisway,Godeffectivelyputsan

endtoEvescuriosityaboutindependenceandherquestforknowledge.AdamisEvesruler,

andthereisnothingshecandoaboutitexcepthopethatAdamwillhonortheirmarriage

bondandtreatherasasmuchofanequalaspossible.

AfterGoddeliversthisjudgment,Eveisunderstandablydistraught.Shefeelsthe

burdenofheractionsandworriesaboutherrelationshipwithAdam.Shebegshimtoforgive

herandtellshimthatsheistheonewhoshouldtakemostoftheblame.Eveseemstruly

repentantinherspeechtoAdam.Shevaluestheirbond,evenifitisforgedoninequality.She

isadamantaboutherloveforhimandherregretaboutthewholesituation.Adamrealizes

thisand,sincehecannotlivewithouther,choosestoforgiveher.Together,theylamenttheir

punishmentandwonderaboutthestruggletofollow.ItisduringthisconversationthatEve

triesonelasttimetofindaloopholeinherobediencetoGod.Shefeelstheweightofthe

difficultyanddestructiontocomeandlookstofindawayaroundit.Toevadefuture

corruptionandevil,Evefirstsuggeststhattheyremainchildlesssoastopreventthesinsof

futuregenerations.Yetshequicklyrealizesthatthisoptionisunrealisticandsuggestssuicide

asanalternative.
 Sucato37

Inbothofhersuggestions,shetriestogiveAdamagencyinbringingaboutthese

options.Eventhoughtheyareheroriginalideas,shemakessurethatAdamknowsheisthe

onewhowilldecidewhattheydo.Forinstance,whenshediscussesabstinence,shetellshim

thattheydonothavetofollowthisplanifthoujudgeithardanddifficult(10.992).By

makingAdamtheprimedecisionmaker,Eveattemptstoupholdhercommitmenttoher

husband.EvenasshetriestoescapefromGodspredictionsforthefuture,shestillremains

obedienttoherhusband.ShemakessureAdamknowshehasvetopowerinallmatters.Yet

shealsosingleshimoutastheweakermemberintheirrelationship,atleastintermsof

sexualrestraint.Shemaynotmeanto,butshedoesportrayAdamasbeinglesslikelyto

abstainwhenitcomestolovemaking.Whileherassumptionmaybesomewhatdemeaning,it

isalsorealistic.Baseduponearlierpassagesinthepoem,suchaswhenhefirstlayseyeson

Eve,Adamisbothinloveandinlustwithher.Hedesiresherbodyasmuchashedesiresher

companionship.Eveunderstandsthisandrealizesthatremainingabstinentfortherestof

theirlivesisnotarealisticoption,especiallyconsideringthatshedesireshimphysicallyas

well.Shewantstobeobedienttoherhusbandanddoherbesttomakesurehegetswhathe

wants.Internally,shemaynotbecontentwithherstatusasthesubservientwife.Externally,

however,sheensuresthatAdamactsastheirsharedauthority.Shemakesaconsciouseffort

torepenthersinandliveoutGodscommands.

ShecontinuestostandbyherhusbandasthemomentoftheirbanishmentfromEden

drawsnearer.AfterAdamtellsEveabouthiscommunionwithGodatthebeginningofBook

11,Eveagainlamentshertransgressionandlookstowardtheirfuturelifetogether.She

expresseshersorrowabouthersinandthenattemptstoseethebrightsideoftheir
 Sucato38

punishment.Heretooshestressesherobediencetoherhusband,saying,Ineverfromthy

sidehenceforthtostray(11.176).Withthisline,Evesimultaneouslyaffirmsherdedication

toAdamandpinpointsthemomentthatsetheronthepathtosin.Henceforthimpliesher

pastdecisiontoleaveAdamspresence.Itwasthatdecisionthatledhertotheserpentand

thetree.HenceforthalsothensignifiesEvesresolutiontoputthatmomentfirmlyinthe

pastsothatshecanmoveonfromit.Sheusesthislinetoexpresshercompletecommitment

toAdam.Sherecognizesthatshedidstrayonceandthatthatactionledherdowntheworst

pathpossible.Sheaffirmsthatshewillneverdosuchathingagain,butwillinsteadremain

firmlyfixedtoAdamsside.Onlybydoingthiscantheyrepairandstrengthentheirphysical

andspiritualbondssoastobecomeevenmoreunitedintheirfallenlives.Theywillneed

eachothertofindpleasureintheirlabors.

AlthoughEveresolvestohonorherrelationshipwithAdamregardlessofwhatthe

futureholds,sheisovercomewithgriefwhenthearchangelMichaelrevealsthattheywill

havetoleaveEden.AstheonlycreatureborninEden,Eveisparticularlyclosetothegarden

andthelifewithinit.Itisherplaceofcomfortfromwhichshedrawspowerandinspiration.

Sheisincontrolasshetendsandcaresfortheplants.Sherecallstheflowers,whichIbred

upwithtenderhand/Fromthefirstopningbud,andgaveyeNames(11.276277).Evenif

Adamholdsthemostauthority,Evestillmaintainsasignificantamountofpowerwithinthe

garden.Notonlydoesshehavethestrongestemotionalattachmenttotheplantlife,butshe

alsohasacertainamountofauthorityoverit.Asshesays,shespentmanylonghourstending

andwatchingovertheyoungbudsandbloomingflowers.Shewasalsogiventhe

responsibilityofnamingthem,justasAdamreceivedthepowertonametheanimalsinthe
 Sucato39

garden.EvesabilitytogivetheplantsnamesisthemostGodgivenpowersheeverreceives.

Adamhasoversightoverpracticallyeverythingelse,includingEveherself.However,inthe

spaceofthegarden,Evehascontrol.Shedirectshowtheplantswillgrowandselectsthe

namesbywhichtheywillbeforeverknown.Now,withthispowerstrippedfromher,Eveis

distraught.Sheisbeingforcedoutofherhomeandleftwithnoauthoritywhatsoever.

Tomakemattersworse,Michaeltakesituponhimselftoremindherofherinferior

status.Hetellshernottobe

Thusoverfond,onthatwhichisnotthine
Thygoingisnotlonely,withtheegoes
ThyHusband,himtofollowthouartbound
Whereheabides,thinktherethynativesoile(11.289292)

MichaelswordsservetodrivehomeGodspunishmentforEve.Itissomewhatpainfulto

readhisadmonitiontoherimmediatelyfollowingherlamentationaboutleavingthegarden.

Hetellshernottobesoemotionaloverthatwhichisnotthine.Heremindsherthatas

connectedtothegardenassheis,shedoesnotownanythingwithinit.Instead,sheisjusta

temporaryresidentinGodsparadise.SheisasubjectunderGodscommandandmust

followhisdirectionwithoutanyregardtoherownpreferences.NotonlydoesMichael

remindEveofherdependenceuponGod,buthealsoreaffirmsherobediencetoAdam.

AlthoughhisstatementThygoingisnotlonelymaybeanattempttocomforther,italso

emphasizesthefactthatEvewillneveragainbealoneorindependent.Shehasnochoicebut

tofollowAdamwhereverhegoesfortherestofherlife.SheisboundbyGodswordto

remainbyAdamsside.

ThelastlineofMichaelsadmonitionisparticularlypowerful,sinceitemphasizes

AdamsauthorityandimplicitlynotesEveslackthereof.Adamhasthepowertocreatea
 Sucato40

newhomeandanewlifeforthepairoutsideofEden.MichaeltellsEvethatwhereverAdam

is
abides,thinktherethynativesoil.Inaway,Adam Eveshome.Hequiteliterallyisher

nativesoil,sinceshewasbornfromhisrib.Adamisherpointoforiginandherfirsttrue

home.EdenmaybecomeherhomewhileAdamresideswithinit,butitisonlysoby

extensionofherhusband.AdamdeterminesEvesresidence.Nowthatsheisboundeven

moreseverelytohisside,shemustfollowAdamashefindsanewhomeforthemawayfrom

thegarden.Shehasnootherchoicebuttoobeyherhusband.Heisherhome,andsotoleave

himordisobeyhimwouldmakeherhomeless.EvemuststaywithAdam,sinceleavinghim

wouldmeanleavingapartofherselfbehind.Shehastoobeyhimbecauseheisherhome,

hersoulmate,andherauthorityunderGod.Disobedienceisnolongeranoptionforher.

Withthisinmind,Evetriestomakethemostofwhatshehasbeengiven.Sheaccepts

herpunishmentandresolvestoliveaccordingtoGodsdirection.SheplacesAdamather

centeroffocusandmakesclearinherfinalspeechthatshewillremaincommittedtohimfor

therestoftheirlives.WhenAdamgoestoprepareherfortheirdeparture,shereassureshim

thatsheisreadyforwhateverthefuturewillbring.

...butnowleadon
Inmeeisnodelaywiththeetogoe,
Istostayherewithouttheeheretostay,
Istogohenceunwillingthoutomee
ArtallthingsunderHeavn,allplacesthou
Whoformywilfulcrimeartbanishthence.(12.614619)

Throughoutthispassage,EveemphasizesAdamsroleasguideforthemboth.Heistheone

whowilldirectthemoutofEdenandontotheirnewlife.AlthoughEveisdistraughtabout

leavinghercomfortzone,shereliesuponherbondwithAdamtomotivateher.Herspeech

playsaninterestingroleinthediscussionaboutobedience.WhileAdamisclearlyher
 Sucato41

superiorintermsofpower,heisalsoherhusband.Becauseofthis,itisnotobviouswhether

EvechoosestoobeyAdambecauseshewascommandedtodoso,becauseshelovesand

respectshim,orasaresultofsomecombinationofthesetwooptions.Bothofthese

possibilitiesdoseemlikereasonableexplanations.Evecannotdisobeyherhusbandnowthat

Godhasreprimandedher.Furthermore,notonlydoessheregrethersinandwanttomake

amendsforit,butshealsowantstoremainwithAdam.Tosinagainwouldlikelymeandeath

andseparationfromherhusband,somethingwhichistoogreatariskforEvetotake.

Whetheroutofloveorduty,orboth,EvebidsAdamtoleadonsothattheycan

begintheirlivesasfallenbeings.Heracceptanceandreadinessfortheirdepartureisa

markeddevelopmentfromherlamentationinBook11.ShetellsAdamthatInmeeisno

delay.Evehasputasideallherreservationsaboutleavingthegarden.Sheknowswhich

bondsaremostimportanttohonor.Inthissection,shestronglyresemblesthebiblical

characterRuth.LikeRuth,whochosetofollowhermotherinlawintoaforeignland,Eve

resolvestostandbyAdamastheysetforthintotheworld.Bothwomenexhibitseriouslevels

ofcommitmenttotheirsuperiorsoutofrespectforthem.EvelovesAdam,andsoshe

understandsthatshemustobeyGodandherhusbandandacceptthepunishmentforhersin.

FollowingEvesdeclarationofresolvetofollowherhusbandoutofthegarden,her

nextfewlinesconnectwiththemessageMichaelrelaystoherinBook11aboutmaking

Adamthefocusofherlife.SheassuresAdamthatwiththeetogoe,/istostayhere.Since

hereishome,andsinceAdamdefineswhereshecallshome,thismakessense.Evewill

willinglyfollowAdamoutofEdenbecauseshehasnohomewithouthim.Sherecognizes

that,regardlessofhissuperiorityoverher,shecouldneverlivewithouthim.Shefollowsup
 Sucato42

herstatementwithanother,similarmessage,saying,withouttheeheretostay,/Istogo

henceunwilling.Evecannotbeartobeapartfromherhusband.Herstateofmindhereisin

clearcontrastwithherdesiretoworkawayfromAdaminBook9.Eveisawareoftheevents

thatledtohersinandseemstomakeaconsciousattempttodistanceherselffromanysimilar

actions.Sheisnowtheperfectembodimentoftheloving,submissivewife.Eventhoughshe

lovedandcaredforAdambeforethefall,sheallowedherownlongingforknowledgeand

independencetogetinthewayofhercommitmenttoherhusband.Now,asshepreparesto

leaveEdenonceandforall,sheportraysherselfasthefullyobedientwife,readytodo

whateverherhusbandcommands.Sheevengoessofarastosaythatshedoesnotwantto

remaininEdenifAdamisnotthere.Hemeansmoretoherthanthegardeneverwill.She

needshiminherlifeandiswillingtofollowhimanywhere,evenifthatmeansleavingthe

onlyplaceshehaseverknown.

Becauseofthis,itseemsthatherimpetusforleavingEdenhaslesstodowithher

commitmenttobeobedienttoherhusbandandmoretodowithherdesiretoupholdtheir

maritalbond.Throughouttheentirepoem,EveandAdamsconnectionholdsaserious

weight,somuchsothattheysometimesprioritizeitovertheirobediencetoGod.Eveslove

forherhusbandiswhatpromptshertoofferhimtheapple,justashisloveforheriswhat

convinceshimtoacceptit.Notonlydotheyshareanintrinsiclink,asaresultofEves

creationfromAdamsrib,buttheyalsohaveadeepemotionalconnectionthatmakesitnear

impossibleforthemtoremainapartforlong.Withthisinmind,Evesresolveinthisspeech

seemstobeprimarilymotivatedbyherdedicationtoAdam.Althoughshealsofulfillsthe

requirementofmaritalobediencethatGoddemandsofher,shedoessoonlysecondarily.Her
 Sucato43

bondwithAdamisherprimaryconcern,asevidencedbyherlinethoutomee/Artall

thingsunderHeavn.Accordingtothisquote,Adamiseverythingtoher.Eveswordsmay

beratherromantic,butthesentimentbehindthemisgenuine.AlifewithAdamisher

motivationforcontinuingtolive.Heisthecenterofherworldandthemostimportantthing

toheronearth.WhileherpoeticsentimentsdoattributetoAdamasignificantamountof

power,theydosoinmoreofalovingthananauthoritativeway.EvefollowsAdambecause,

toher,heisallthingsunderHeavn.ShewillobeyAdambecauseGoddemandsit,butshe

willalsodoitoutofloveforherhusband.ShemaynotbeaboveobediencetoGod,butshe

doesnotletthisrequirementdefinethemotivationbehindheractions.Herwordstomee

areimportanthere,sincetheysignifyhowAdamsearthlysupremacyhasmoretodowith

Evesperspectiveandrelationshiptohimthananythingelse.Sheloveshimsomuchthatshe

centersherwholelifearoundhim.NothingelseonearthwilleverbeasimportanttoEveas

Adamis.

NotonlydoesAdamembodyallthings,buthealsoissomethingofanomnipresent

figureinEvesmind.ShefollowsupherdescriptionofAdamashereverythingwithanother

abouthowheisallplaces.AdamspowerintheselinesdrawsaparallelwithGodsown

control.ToEve,AdamdominateseveryplaceandeverythingonEarthjustasGoddoesin

Heaven.AsGodsfirstcreation,Adamistheearthlyauthority.ThesignificanceEveplaces

uponAdamresemblesherprefallunderstandingofhim.Theonlydifferencenowisthat,

throughhernewwisdomandGodspunishment,EveprioritizesAdamashersolefocus.She

isobedienttonothingandnooneexceptherhusband.OncetheydepartfromEden,hewill

betheonlyfamiliarthingthatremainstoher.Heracceptanceofherhusbandasherleaderis
 Sucato44

probablyforthebestthen,notonlybecauseGodcommandsit,butalsobecausesheherself

prioritizeshimasherpartnerandguideinlife.EveobeysAdamoutofrespectandlove,and

notjustbecauseGodrequiresitofher.

Yetintheend,hersinstillweighsheavilyonhermind.Herlastspeechinallof

ParadiseLost
returnshertothemomentofhercrime.AfterassuringAdamthatsheisready

toleaveandthatshewillremaindevotedtohimastheybegintheirnewlifetogether,she

bringsuptheirfalloncemore.ShepraisesAdamasherreasonforbeingandthenrecallshow

he,whoformywilfulcrimeartbanishthence(12.619).Evesrecollectionofherpast

disobedienceservesasareminderofherrequiredfutureobedience.Itisasifshefeelsshe

owesittoAdamtodowhateverittakestomakethingsuptohim.Sheblamesherselffor

theircrimeandseesAdamasacasualtyofherdecision.Evetakesfullresponsibilityfor

thefallatthispoint.Shedeclaresherconsumptionoftheappletobemywilfulcrime.By

claimingthecrimeasherown,shealsoadmitstohavingdoneitwillfully.Thisisadirect

negationofherearlierstatementthattheserpenttemptedherintosinning(10.162).She

knowsthatsheconsciouslydisobeyedGodsrule.Onlyinherlastspeakingscenedoesshe

finallyacknowledgehercognizanceofhertransgression.Eveadmitstoherself,toAdam,and

toGodthatsheistheonewhochosetosininthatmoment.Shedoesnotmentiontheserpent

atall.Sheadmitstoherattempteddefianceandacknowledgesherfaultintherepercussions

thatfollowed.Shedisobeyedonce,andnowshewillobeyAdamandGodcompletelyforthe

restofherlife.Inthisway,herpostlapsarianobedienceismorevaluablethanher

prelapsarianobedience.Notonlyhasshelearnedthevalueofremainingobedienttoher
 Sucato45

makerandherhusband,butshehasalsobecomemoredevotedtoAdamasherguideandher

partner.

BythetimesheandAdamleaveEdenonceandforall,Eveisresignedtobeforever

obedienttohermakerandherhusband.YetsheisalsomorecommittedtoAdamthanever,

astheirdeparturehandinhandilluminates(12.648).AlthoughEvessinforceshertoleave

herbelovedparadiseforever,italsobringsherclosertoherhusband.SheandAdamexhibita

muchstrongermental,emotional,andphysicalbondafterthefallthantheyeverdobeforeit.

Asaresultofthis,EveisalsomoreobedienttoAdamthanever.ShefollowsAdambecause

sheloveshimandwantstopleasehim.Shehascomealongwaysinceherintroductiontothe

poeminBook4.Sheisnolongerthenaive,curiouswomanwhodesiresmorethanshehas

beengiven.Instead,sheisnowbothexperiencedinthewaysoftheworldandfallenfrom

Godsfavor.Herdisobedienceleadstoalifelongstruggletoredeemherself.Godplacesa

heavyburdenonherintheformoftheknowledgeoftheevilsherfuturegenerationswill

causeleadinguptotheirredemptionbytheSonofGod.Yetherdisobediencealsoteaches

hertoappreciatewhatshehas.EvevaluesAdamevenmoreafterthefall,especiallywhen

shefearsbeingseparatedfromhim.Shevowstoremainobedientandsteadfasttohimforthe

remainderofherdays.

is
EventhoughEve forcedintotheroleoftheobedientwife,hersentenceisnotas

dreadfulasitinitiallyappears.Afterallissaidanddone,Evegetsexactlywhatshewantedat

thestartofthepoem.Notonlydoesshehaveagreateramountofknowledge,butshealso

connectswithherhusbandonanevenmoremeaningfullevel.Byeatingtheapple,Eve

satisfieshercuriosityandgainsanunderstandingofthewaysoftheworldthatwere
 Sucato46

previouslyhiddentoher.Shealsoconfirmsherselfasthesole,irreplaceableobjectof

Adamsloveanddesire.HerfearofbeingreplacedbyanotherEveisunnecessarynowthat

sheandAdamhavebeenbanishedfromthegarden.Astheonlytwohumansontheplanet,

sheandAdamneedeachothertosurvive,findcomfort,andensurethecontinuationof

humankind.SoalthoughGodrequiresEvetoobeyAdam,hispunishmentdoesnotseemlike

muchofapunishmentatall.ItistruethatthepairmustleaveEden,therebyleavingbehind

thecomfortofhome.Yetsincetheyfindahomeineachother(12.614616),thislossisnot

assevereasitinitiallysounds.Inall,EvesobediencetoAdamisfarlessofapenaltythan

shefirstmakesitouttobe.AlthoughAdamdoeshavethepowertocommandEve,itseems

unlikelythathewillmakemuchuseofitbaseduponhispastbehavior.Heloveshertoo

muchtorequirehertodoanythingagainstherwill.Intheend,Evebecomesmoreofan

equaltoAdamthanever.Theyleavethegardentogetherwiththesamelevelofuniversal

wisdomandthesamelevelofinexperienceregardingthenewworld.Withonlyeachotherto

relyupon,EveandAdamarepartnersinthetruestsense.Asaresultofthefall,theirbonds

ofknowledge,love,andexperiencebecomeunbreakableandeternal.Theygetanewstart.

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WorksCited

OxfordEnglishDictionary
Disobedient,adj.andn. .OxfordUniversityPress,1896.Web.26

April2015.

Genesis TheOfficialKingJamesBibleOnline
. .KingJamesBibleOnline,n.d.Web.26April

2015.

ParadiseLost
Milton,John. .Ed.BarbaraK.Lewalski.Malden,Massachusetts:Blackwell

Publishing,2007.Print.

OxfordEnglishDictionary
Obedience,n. .OxfordUniversityPress,March2004.Web.9April

2015.