Men: PL

• “patriarch of mankind” = title given to Adam; figure head
• “Why didst not thou the head command me absolutely not go” = Eve blaming Adam for not commanding her
• “Seek not temptation then” = Adam comanding Eve after the fall
• Milton = “The better fortitude of patience and heroic martyrdom” (prologue of B9)
• ‘Adam is the stronger of the pair…greater share of the responsibility’ – Revard
• "Adam's first words to Eve are typical of him and typical of the extremely high opinion that he has of Eve" - Verbart
• AO3: Ephesians 5:22

  • "Wives submit to your husbands"
  • Obedience & reinforces social stereotype of dominant men
• "Sole Eve, associate Sole, to me" = Adam expresses his love for Eve; first line; equal partnership
• “Let us divide our labours” = challenges stereotypes; equality in their relationship
• Milton ‘portrays Eve as vain & wilful & Adam as weak & uxorious’ - McColley
• ‘Adam was meant to shape his wife’s decisions… relinquishes that authority… he causes…her fall & his own’ - Revard.
• "Daughter of God and Man!" = Adam reminds Eve of her status