ction of her statement in Book IV mentioned above that,” what thou bid’st unargued I obey.” Instead of taking heed to Adam, Eve argues and ultimately does not obey. Eve’s persistence does win over Adam’s wisdom, “With thy permission then, and thus forewarned …I go, nor much expect a foe so proud will first the weaker seek”(PL: BK IX, L376-381). Eve knows that the evil creature that lurks will go after her, and yet she still thinks that she is strong enough to overcome him on her own. Yet, the serpent is overjoyed that the two are apart and is eager to pounce on his prey. He states, “Then let me not let pass occasion which now smiles, behold alone The woman, opportune to all attempts, her husband, for I view far round, not nigh, whose higher intellectual more I shum” (PL: BK IX, L 475-482). The serpent appeals to Eve’s most impressive weakness, her vulnerability. Through disguise, deceit and flattery, Satan is able to convince Eve to do what took eight books for those characters of higher power and wisdom to describe and to warn not to do; to eat the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. By disobeying Adam’s wishes and trying to step above what she is capable of, Eve has sinned. Eve’s blatant transgression has caused the loss of paradise and all of creation has to experience the consequences of original sin, now inherited from Adam and Eve to all of mankind. The consequences of the fall include sexual lust, discord in human social relations, shame, Loss of innocence, guilt and the most impressive death. These consequences are to be bequeathed by all of mankind and originated from Eve’s persistence to separate from her commander and remove herself from her place in the chain of authority. Book IV is a pivotal book due to the fact that it sets up what is to come and foreshadows the fall in Book IX. Milton gives Eve the simp...
