Quotes on Eve Flashcards
“Less attributed to her faith sincere”
Milton presents Eve as less supporting of of God, and less committed to her faith. This goes against social norms on the 17th century and the gender stereotype of housewife and religion being a woman’s only tasks. Milton’s view of women.
“Let us divide out labours”
Goes against Gender norms as she wants to split from Adam, she thinks she doesn’t need him, men are meant to work, and females are to be housewives, and she is rebelling against that. Alternately she confirms to social norms as she still needs permission from Adam to do anything, and it must regard him. ‘Divide’ means equal- they aren’t equal, (gender norms.)
“Left so imperfect by the maker wise”
She thinks that the ‘perfect’ world is imperfect due to the control they are under and the rules they must conform to. She wants to be free of God’s authority. Rebelling against religion is sinful even before Satan’s influence. ‘Wise’- She has no knowledge, only Adam, and is foolish to propose the idea.
“Language of man pronounced by tongue of brute”
Shows Eve’s intelligent questioning, she is suspicious of the ‘snake’ and is not quick to give in as later described. She attempts to fight back, presented as weak as it didn’t work. She was suspicious but still gave in, which could present her as ignorant. ‘Brute’ emphasises Satan’s evilness, and makes Eve seem pretty and delicate, vulnerable.
“A foe so proud will first the weaker seems”
She doesn’t want Adam’s protection as she feels it will make her more desired. She wants her power and goes against societal expectations of the female sex.
“Fairest unsupported flow’r”
Adam gives her strength, without him she is weak, naïve, and easily influenced. ‘Fairest’ mentions beauty, all she is ever compared to. ‘flower’ is inanimate, and cannot think, complain, voice opinions, or act on them, Milton views that this is what women should be like, just sit and look pretty.
“Virgin Majesty Eve”
Reference her innocence and vulnerability, ‘majesty’ she is royalty- she rebels against that (contradict hierarchy of kings?). Women only exist for male pleasure.
“The wife where danger and dishonour lurks”
Milton views wives as dangerous, disasters waiting to happen, forboding the fall of mankind. Eve is disloyal (to god as she rebels, to Adam as she is seduced by/seduces satan).
“Too easy entrance won”
Eve is naive and foolish. Diminishes her argument with Satan as she fights back against him, Milton doesn’t want us to recognize this and presents Eve as stupid. Ignores the idea that Adam didn’t reason or argue, presents Eve as worse than Adam, a double standard.
“O’ much deceived, much failing, hapless Eve”
Said by the narrator, Milton’s direct views. Eve is easily tempted and foolish, taken advantage of. Eve isn’t strong enough to fight back. No one regards Adam as being ‘failed’, Eve has a burden of expectation, despite being the one with no knowledge, while Adam does. Eve is made to be weaker than the male but still perfect- she is made to fail.
“Greedily she engorged without restraint”
Unfeminine-like- goes against societal norms. Greed is a sin, wanting independence is a sin. Make readers dislike Eve/women because they are seen to be remorseless.
