Student Question

How does Paradise Lost promote the feminist agenda?

Quick answer:

While John Milton may not have intended Paradise Lost as a feminist text, it can be interpreted as such. Feminist readings highlight that the text attributes gender roles to the Fall, presents Eve as assertive, and suggests that Adam and destiny bear significant responsibility for the Fall. Additionally, the notion of the "fortunate Fall" implies Eve's role in leading to human redemption and civilization, portraying her as a benefactor.

Expert Answers

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One of the qualities found in the greatest works of literature is that they are complex and multi-faceted enough to be used to promote practically any agenda, whatever the author might have thought. There is no evidence that John Milton was a feminist, and plenty of evidence (including internal evidence from Paradise Lost) that he held a traditional view of gender roles. Nonetheless, Paradise Lost can certainly be read as a feminist text.

One feminist reading of Paradise Lost stresses that specified gender roles, along with every other aspect of civilization, are a product of the Fall. Feminist critics also point out that Milton gives Eve a much stronger and more assertive character than she has in the Bible (though he never goes so far as to make her Adam's equal). Milton also places more of the blame for the Fall on Adam—and on destiny—than he does on Eve.

Finally, it is sometimes argued that the Fall in Paradise Lost is ultimately a fortunate one. It paves the way for Redemption in Paradise Regain'd, as well as for all aspects of human civilization, including Milton's own poetry. Therefore, Eve could be seen as a benefactor of mankind for succumbing to temptation.

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