Equality Between the Sexes
Uploaded by toocute03 on Dec 07, 2006
Equality Between the Sexes in Paradise Lost
Upon reading Paradise Lost, Milton’s viewpoint on woman’s role in society can be viewed as barbaric. Milton also creates an idealized world in which the woman is content with duties associated with women that were created by society. Milton is a product of his time. During the time of Milton’s literary career, women were looked upon as the weaker species. Many different ideas and characteristics were used to define women. Women were meant to be seen and not heard. This view is conveyed within the lines of this work. Paradise Lost does indeed depicts a world that can be considered the woman’s traditional sphere In this context, the Garden of Eden is depicted as being the home and traditional sphere of woman. Rather than create a world that revolved around war, Milton chose to create one that satisfied his idea of the home for women while ridiculing the idea of glorifying war. Allusions about the war in heaven are used to illustrate the contempt Milton had for war-related epics. Milton illustrates various instances that coincide with the idea of the traditional sphere of woman. In this particular epic, marriage is one of the main subjects of the work, but is not the sole main subject. The main subject of the work involves describing the ways of God to man. Though marriage is not main subject, I do agree that the active role is shared, but not equally, between the two individuals. Milton’s descriptions of Eve’s actions and characteristics and conversations held between Adam and Eve indicate the non-equality of roles between the sexes.
Milton’s views on a woman’s place in society are personified through Eve. Though biblically-based, many of Milton’s descriptions derive from the tenants of his time. Women had very little to do that could make them a charitable asset to society. Their main duties included maintaining the household and tending to the needs of their spouses and children. They were thought to be unknowledgeable about anything that was outside of housework. In Book IX, Milton describes Eve’s role. She is described as an “associate sole” to Adam (Paradise Lost 227). Eve’s role is furthered discussed when Adam says: “In woman, than to study household good, and good works in her Husband to promote” (Paradise Lost 233-34). These lines state that women should study household duties and promote goodness in their...