quotes book 9 Flashcards
Milton’s didactic purpose in writing the Christian epic, wards off some criticism because this is a great task- how can he explain God in human terms?
to justify the ways of God to men
invocation, the tone will change from heavenly and of one describing paradise because humanity will change- foreshadows the Fall
I must now change these notes to tragic
deception
tinsel trappings
Satan recognising the serpent as the best vehicle of deception as it is already viewed as dishonest, thus arousing the least suspicion
fittest imp of fraud
Satan can only be at peace when destroying God’s creation
for only in destroying i find ease to my relentless thoughts
Satan would prefer to bask in sin than serve God, also brags about him leading a rebellion from God BUT he didn’t take half of the angels like he claims, downright lying
freed from servitude inglorious (better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven)
Eve’s request for autonomy from Adam, shocking!
Let us divide our labours
Adam flatters Eve and we see his uxoriousness
to me beyond compare all living creatures dear
Satan as seductive- foreshadowing
subtle he needs be, who could seduce angels
what kind of life is living in fear of separation?- Eve
how are we happy, still in fear of harm?
Adam relenting to Eve’s request BUT attempting to order Eve to not sin because he loves her- protection
seek not temptation then
Adam lets Eve go because he thinks giving in to her whim will ensure she loves him more
go for thy stay, not free, absents thee more
Milton’s poetic voice mocks Adam- he just failed as a patriarch, reminds readers of 17th century views on gender roles within marriage and of Milton’s didactic purpose
so spake the patriarch of mankind
PV lamenting and foreshadowing the loss of Eve’s heavenly innocence, CAN BE interpreted as Woolf saw it, “Eve is Milton’s bogey” and he blames women
so much deceived, much failing, hapless Eve
Satan’s rhetoric is that of a courtly lover, he woos Eve and plays on her hamartia by flattering her and quite literally worshipping the ground she walks on but also attracts attention from his looks and connotations surrounding them descriptions of Satan’s form as the serpent as phallic and attractive visually -> he seduces Eve
descriptions of Satan’s form as the serpent as phallic and attractive visually -> he seduces Eve
flattery, feeds Eve’s potential narcicissm (her hamartia)
sovereign mistress
sacrilegious flattery, especially in the 17th century
fairest resemblance of thy Maker fair
sacrilegious flattery AND reference to polytheism, not monotheism = anti-Christian
a goddess amongst Gods
Eve is initially weary of Satan’s flattery, saying that the fruit’s effect must have gone to his head
thy overpraising leaves in doubt the virtue of that fruit
the PV describes Satan as manipulative and overzealous in his seduction, but he continues because it’s working
the wily adder, blithe and glad
PV Mocking Eve- mothers are meant to be wise, not gullible! Eve our credulous mother
Eve our credulous mother
Satan changes his tactics
new parts put on
Satan now flatters the tree, making Eve further intrigued and drawing flattering attention away from Eve
mother of science
Satan tells Eve that he has not died, therefore she won’t, either. In fact, his life has only gotten better and hers could, too do not believe these rigid threats of death; ye shall not die.. look on me, who have touched and tased, yet both live and life more perfect have attainted than fate meant me
do not believe these rigid threats of death; ye shall not die.. look on me, who have touched and tased, yet both live and life more perfect have attainted than fate meant me
excess, lust, PV is critical. Eve couldn’t wait to become “better” than she was (and Adam?)
greedily she engorged without restraint
Eve’s going to be superior, for a change-> defies patriarchal views held by 17th century society AND serves as a reminder of her hamartia
superior, for who inferior is free?
Eve is jealous of this possibility, therefore she will share the fruit with Adam, sacrificing her superiority but not wanting to face punishment alone
Adam wedded to another Eve
repeated- sounds like marriage vows- A + E will do this together, and Eve knows this is because Adam is uxurious in his love and the consequences will be shared
“in bliss or woe”, also a lot of mention of equality
Adam despairs Eve’s sinning- he has lost his perfect mate
defaced, deflowered/ some cursed fraud of enemy has beguiled thee
ADAM FELL KNOWINGLY AND CONSCIOUSLY!!! (C.S Lewis, very Christian critic)He CHOSE to eat the fruit because he loves Eve, but also because she used Satanic rhetoric against him and it worked
not deceived, but fondly overcome with female charm
the fruit has opened their eyes to evil, and they argue
Adam and Eve then become conscious of their nakedness, are lustful (in comparison to earlier books) and feel shame
they are visibly tainted, there is no hiding their sin
foul concupiscence
cyclical structure- book 9 starts and ends with a martial dispute
Adam blames Eve for corrupting him, being in disbelief at himself but voicing that anger at her
Eve sasses Adam, if she’s so volatile then why did he let her go?
being as I am, why didst not thou, the Head,
command me absolutely not to go?
they give each other the silent treatment, each blaming the other and thinking they are in the right
thus they in mutual accusation spent the fruitless hours
