Eve’s Seduction in Chapter 09, Paradise Lost Essay Example

4). In this regard, he invents a dialogue of ninety-nine lines to yield an innocent but faithful Eve to deception and seduction. Fairest resemblance of thy Maker fair, Thee all things living gaze on, all things thine By gift, and thy Celestial Beautie adoreWith ravishment beheld, there best beheld Where universally admir'd; (IX. 538-42) The Satan delicate eulogy to Eve as "Celestial Beautie" (IX.540) particularly summons up to her mind her esteem of the image in "the deer/Smooth Lake, that to me seemed another Skie" (IV.458-59). But Satan beautiful tribute is a step ahead of Eve’s own estimation of self as he also calls her the "Fairest resemblance" of her Architect (IX.538) and the "sole Wonder" of creation (IX.533).

But Eve is not easy prey to this “fraudulent temptation” as her first experience had disproved of such vanities. "How beauty is excelled by manly grace/And wisdom, which alone is truly fair" (IV.490-91). But regardless of her past lessons, "Into the Heart of Eve [the serpent's] words made away" (IX.550).

There is another factor involved that handed over Eve in the hands of seduction. Although the episode where Eve met Adam for the first time, equipped her to defy such enticements of vanity the debate with Adam over the parting issue and Adam’s mentions of her limitations have capacitated her to feel her self-image damaged or undervalued. So it is natural to yield to the tribute tunes of Stan as "she is in just the frame of mind to listen sympathetically to tributes to her dignity”. Although deep in the heart, Eve does not respond to the sycophancy by any means but she also seems to be mesmerized

by the serpent’s eloquence and ability to talk with "human sense" (IX.554).

Though at the voice much marveling; at length/Not unamazed she thus in answer spake./What may this mean? Language of Man pronounced/By Tongue of Brute and human sense exprest? (IX.551-554). This amazement and inquiry on the part of Eve about the serpent's linguistic ability provide Satan the appropriate chance to hit the target and he molds the dialogue to the forbidden fruit. He further proceeds with the assertion that eating the fruit of a specific tree has enabled him to this human eloquence and sagacity. He again tries to plea vanity by saying that his greater wisdom has disclosed to him the supreme worth of Eve. (IX.567-612)

These lines produce a subtle and fine argument on the part of Satan. The net result is that Eve responds to Satan's sycophant appeals: Serpent, thy overpraising leaves in doubt The virtue of that Fruit, in thee first prov'd. (IX.615-16) These above-mentioned suggest that Eve’s temptation is due to her inquisitive nature and increased curiosity and she does not fall prey to exaggerated flattery.

To remove the skepticism of Eve and to further instigate her to taste the fruit, the serpent illustrates his newly acquired wisdom. He presents himself as the epitome of fruit’s characteristics. At this point, Eve gives way to full temptations and considers the forbidden fruit as a source of human reason and intellect and a transition from human nature to godlikeness. In order to further stress his point that eating the fruit of a forbidden tree does not cost death, the serpent argues that God is just and it is also just to know a good,

so a just God cannot condemn one to death for attaining reason to distinguish between vile and virtue. God, therefore, cannot hurt ye, and be just; Not just, not God; not feared then, nor obeyed. (IX. 700-01; see 698-99)

He further relies on the argument that Creator does not refute any of his creations to enjoy the benefits of his other creations. So he says; If they all things, who enclos'd/Knowledge of Good and Evil in this Tree,/'Mat whoso eats thereof, forthwith attains/Wisdom without their leave? and wherein ties/Th' offense, that Man should thus attain to know?/What can your knowledge hurt him, or this Tree/Impart against his will if all be his? (IX.722-28) So all these tempting measures i.e. appeal to vanity, miracles of forbidden fruit, and Eve hurt self-image and craving to be godlike, are used by Satan that yielded its results and seduced Eve to taste the forbidden fruit.