Narcissism in John Milton’s Paradise Lost Essay - 794 Words

Narcissism in John Milton’s Paradise Lost When Eve eats the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, her decision to tell Adam of her disobedience turns on two suppositions. If her transgression is kept secret from God, Eves augmented knowledge might increase Adams love for her, and perhaps cause her to be more equal or even superior to Adam. Even though Eve was created comparable to Adam as his helper, she refers to Adam as her Author and Disposer. Furthermore, she says that while God is Adams law, Adam is her law. Apparently, Eve chafes under this arrangement, as she wraps up her evaluation of not telling Adam of her sin with, for inferior who is free? However, her death is assured if God has seen her wrongdoing. In this†¦show more content†¦When Raphael joins Adam for dinner, Eve serves them naked, affirming her place in Gods hierarchy. However, Eves nakedness arouses no libidinal desires in Gods heavenly representative. Eve listens in on their conversation while Raphael relates how Satan and his rebellious ange ls were defeated, and how God and Gods Son created the world. Eve leaves when Adam and Raphael discuss astronomy, her reason not suitable for this subject matter, and she only overhears Raphaels final warning about Satan. Information is power: Eves status as Adams weaker is clear. During the conversation with Raphael, Adam relates his first experiences of passion with Eve, an emotion mixed with his love. While Raphael praises Adams capacity to love, he disparages Adams ability to control his passion. Adam should love, cherish, and honour Eve, but not subject himself to her. Moreover, Raphael stresses Adams need to love God, and the potential conflict between his love for God and his love for Eve. To love God, is to obey God. For Adam, obeying God means never to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. While God leaves Adam free to will and in his own will free, his will though free is mutable. Under the influence of passion — sexual desire for Eve — Adam could choose to act in ways at variance with his free will and Gods will. Sexual passion engenders pride, affecting Adams obedience and love forShow MoreRelatedSymptoms of Narcissism in Eve Using Paradise Lost1625 Words   |  7 PagesSymptoms of Narcissism in Eve I. Introduction A. â€Å"The allusion to pagan fable that most haunts views of Miltons Eve is her Narcissus-like behavior when, fresh from her Creators hand, she pauses at the verge of the mirror lake attracted by her own reflection and has to be called twice: first by God, who leads her to Adam, and then, as she starts back toward the softer beauty of the face in the lake, by Adam himself.† (McColley 63). B. 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Fixed on the fruitRead MoreEssay on Parallelism of Satan and Eve in John Milton ´s Paradise Lost863 Words   |  4 Pages In John Milton’s Paradise Lost, the parallelism between Satan and Eve’s fall is strong in that they were once both the highest before pure perfection. Lucifer is associated with evil, which stems from his free will leading to his rebellion against God and, ultimately, his great fall. He is known as the one who introduces sin to Adam and Eve – the first humans to ever exist. His plan to go against God is the beginning of a whole new world to the universe and a whole new significance of himselfRead More The Son of God in Milton’s Paradise Lost: Taking One for the Team1761 Words   |  8 PagesThe Son of God in Milton’s Paradise Lost: Taking One for the Team Among those familiar with the Judeo-Christian belief system, Jesus is normally accepted as a selfless figure, one who became human, suffered, and was put to death out of divine love for humanity. In his portrayal of the Son of God in Paradise Lost, John Milton does not necessarily disagree with the devotion or love present in the Son. His characterization of the Son does not oppose this tradition; rather, it is simply differentRead More The Temptation of Eve in Milton’s Paradise Lost Essay2727 Words   |  11 PagesThe Temptation of Eve in Milton’s Paradise Lost â€Å"Dream not of other worlds,† the angel Raphael warns Adam in Miltons’s Paradise Lost (VIII.175). Eve, however, dreams of another world in which she will gain knowledge and power, a wish that is superficially fulfilled when she succumbs to Satan’s temptation and eats from the Tree of Knowledge. Awakening in the Garden of Eden as though from a dream, Eve searches for her identity and her place in Paradise. Satan provides Eve with a chance to gain