How are gender roles expressed in Paradise Lost?
The importance of gender roles is particularly highlighted because Adam and Eve, being the first two humans, clearly should provide some sort of guide as to the roles played by men and women. The differences between them are evident upon their first mention in this epic classic, which occurs in Book IV when Satan has his first look at the Garden of Eden and comments upon two similar creatures who are obviously unlike any other creature he has seen as they are "new to sight and strange." This first assessment of Adam and Eve points towards the gender roles that each perform. Although both are equal in terms of their appearance, it is also clear that they are "not equal" because they are clearly different in terms of their roles:
For contemplation he and valour formed,
For softness she and sweet attractive grace,
He for God only, she for God...
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in him...
The description continues with Adam having "absolute rule" and Eve's appearance hinting at "subjection" but not in the sense of being a slave. This initial description of Adam and Even therefore points towards the authority that men have but also the nature of the submission that women give to men, which is not slavish in any sense but:
...required with gentle sway,
And by her yielded, by him best received,
Yielded with coy submission, modest pride,
And sweet reluctant amorous delay.
Although man is clearly dominant, the explanation of the nature of Eve's submission recognises that this is not an imbalance of power so much as a choice to "yield" that submission to Adam. The description thus points to men as being more dominant and to women as being more caring and nurturing.
It is important to remember that because of the nature of the story that Milton writes about, any characteristics or roles that Adam and Eve assume are considered to be natural rather than something that is forced upon them by society. By going back to the very beginning of the human species, Milton is therefore trying to present an authoritative treatment of gender and gender roles that is uninfluenced by society at large, as there was no society to influence the development of Adam and Eve. Milton's presentation of the creation of Adam and Eve and their first actions include vital hints at how he sees their role in society.
For example, in Book IV, Eve describes how she saw her own reflection and became enchanted by it, "pinned with vain desire":
A shape within the watery gleam appeared
Bending to look on me, I started back,
It started back, but pleased I soon returned,
Pleased it returned as soon with answering looks
Of sympathy and love...
Eve, from the moment of her creation, is presented as a creature of vanity, who is aware of her appearance and is caught up with her own self-obsession. Adam, by contrast, is presented in a very different way. From his own account of his birth in Book VIII, he was not obsessed with vanity in the same way:
Straight toward heaven my wondering eyes I turned,
And gazed awhile the ample sky, till raised
By quick instinctive motion up I sprung,
As thitherward endevouring, and upright
Stood on my feet...
Adam immediately recognises God and seeks him through his gaze before seeking to follow with the rest of his body. He is naturally inquisitive and forceful in the way he stands and takes stock of his surroundings. This of course links with the way that Adam takes a protector role in the epic, seeking to look after Eve, who is viewed as the "lesser" and weaker of the two sexes.
How are men and women perceived in Paradise Lost?
This is an interesting question and, in answering it, it must be recognized that Milton introduced some of the social biases of his period into his descriptions of Adam and Eve, their relationship and what they want from each other. It must be recognized that these social biases no longer apply in our society and that they have been thoroughly rejected and substantially refuted. In other words, Milton's depiction of men and women, through representative Adam and Eve, is not a universal depiction; it is a socially contextual depiction and it is one that is no longer held as valid.
One thing that Milton shows Adam wants from Eve is a reasonable mind that is capable of reasoned, rational thought. It is Reason that allows for and governs, first, self-knowledge and, then, self-rule. It is Reason, moreover, that allows knowledge of God. Adam instructs Eve in the role of Reason and this is what he wants from her:
... we live
Law to ourselves, our Reason is our Law
On thing Milton shows that Eve wants from Adam is the recognition of her being independent and strong. After Satan appears to Eve through the dream that he induces while in the form of a frog, Eve requests that she and Adam work separately to be more productive in their garden. Adam hesitates because of the enemy Raphael has warned him about. Eve insists because she wants Adam to see her as independent and strong, not dependent and weak. Adam gives in against his will though he feels she will come to harm.
[This scenario is a representation of the social bias against women's capabilities during Milton's era.] And come to harm is precisely what befalls Eve. Because she can't claim Reason, self-knowledge and self-rule, she is led into folly and that folly results in the Fall from Paradise.
Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve
Since Reason not impossible may meet
And fall into deception unaware.