Milton - Ambiguity Flashcards
What does ambiguous mean?
Can be interpreted in more than one way
How can Eve be interpreted as ambiguous?
She is both innocent yet guilty. She is first presented as wanting to help shorten the workload for both she and Adam, so convinces him to let her leave, despite knowing that there is a danger of Satan. She tries to avoid temptation yet gives in to flattery and after eating from the Tree of Knowledge decides whether or not to allow Adam to damn himself but soon give into that too and damns them both. In doing so, her innocence is lost because she betrays god too.
How can Adam be interpreted as ambiguous?
Adam is supposed to be the epitome of masculinity and show strength and power. However, his weakness is his love for Eve and, instead of showing strength and power over her, he gives into her and even allows himself to become dammed, despite having multiple opportunities to to deny her.
How can Satan be interpreted as the tragic hero?
He feels smited by god and, as he used to be gods favourite creation, feels envy towards mankind. However, he may also show pity as he feels he should give man kind full knowledge on their potential, even though this could further be interpreted as spite towards god from his betrayal.
Who could Satan and God represent?
The parliamentarians and the monarchy.
