quotes book 9

Question 1

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?

Answer 1

to justify the ways of God to men

Question 2

invocation, the tone will change from heavenly and of one describing paradise because humanity will change- foreshadows the Fall

Answer 2

I must now change these notes to tragic

Question 3

deception

Answer 3

tinsel trappings

Question 4

Satan recognising the serpent as the best vehicle of deception as it is already viewed as dishonest, thus arousing the least suspicion

Answer 4

fittest imp of fraud

Question 5

Satan can only be at peace when destroying God’s creation

Answer 5

for only in destroying i find ease to my relentless thoughts

Question 6

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

Answer 6

freed from servitude inglorious (better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven)

Question 7

Eve’s request for autonomy from Adam, shocking!

Answer 7

Let us divide our labours

Question 8

Adam flatters Eve and we see his uxoriousness

Answer 8

to me beyond compare all living creatures dear

Question 9

Satan as seductive- foreshadowing

Answer 9

subtle he needs be, who could seduce angels

Question 10

what kind of life is living in fear of separation?- Eve

Answer 10

how are we happy, still in fear of harm?

Question 11

Adam relenting to Eve’s request BUT attempting to order Eve to not sin because he loves her- protection

Answer 11

seek not temptation then

Question 12

Adam lets Eve go because he thinks giving in to her whim will ensure she loves him more

Answer 12

go for thy stay, not free, absents thee more

Question 13

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

Answer 13

so spake the patriarch of mankind

Question 14

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

Answer 14

so much deceived, much failing, hapless Eve

Question 15

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

Answer 15

descriptions of Satan’s form as the serpent as phallic and attractive visually -> he seduces Eve

Question 16

flattery, feeds Eve’s potential narcicissm (her hamartia)

Answer 16

sovereign mistress

Question 17

sacrilegious flattery, especially in the 17th century

Answer 17

fairest resemblance of thy Maker fair

Question 18

sacrilegious flattery AND reference to polytheism, not monotheism = anti-Christian

Answer 18

a goddess amongst Gods

Question 19

Eve is initially weary of Satan’s flattery, saying that the fruit’s effect must have gone to his head

Answer 19

thy overpraising leaves in doubt the virtue of that fruit

Question 20

the PV describes Satan as manipulative and overzealous in his seduction, but he continues because it’s working

Answer 20

the wily adder, blithe and glad

Question 21

PV Mocking Eve- mothers are meant to be wise, not gullible! Eve our credulous mother

Answer 21

Eve our credulous mother

Question 22

Satan changes his tactics

Answer 22

new parts put on

Question 23

Satan now flatters the tree, making Eve further intrigued and drawing flattering attention away from Eve

Answer 23

mother of science

Question 24

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

Answer 24

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

Question 25

excess, lust, PV is critical. Eve couldn’t wait to become “better” than she was (and Adam?)

Answer 25

greedily she engorged without restraint

Question 26

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

Answer 26

superior, for who inferior is free?

Question 27

Eve is jealous of this possibility, therefore she will share the fruit with Adam, sacrificing her superiority but not wanting to face punishment alone

Answer 27

Adam wedded to another Eve

Question 28

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

Answer 28

“in bliss or woe”, also a lot of mention of equality

Question 29

Adam despairs Eve’s sinning- he has lost his perfect mate

Answer 29

defaced, deflowered/ some cursed fraud of enemy has beguiled thee

Question 30

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

Answer 30

not deceived, but fondly overcome with female charm

Question 31

the fruit has opened their eyes to evil, and they argue

Answer 31

Adam and Eve then become conscious of their nakedness, are lustful (in comparison to earlier books) and feel shame

Question 32

they are visibly tainted, there is no hiding their sin

Answer 32

foul concupiscence

Question 33

cyclical structure- book 9 starts and ends with a martial dispute

Answer 33

Adam blames Eve for corrupting him, being in disbelief at himself but voicing that anger at her

Question 34

Eve sasses Adam, if she’s so volatile then why did he let her go?

Answer 34

being as I am, why didst not thou, the Head,
command me absolutely not to go?

Question 35

they give each other the silent treatment, each blaming the other and thinking they are in the right

Answer 35

thus they in mutual accusation spent the fruitless hours