Humanity's unlikely Heroine: Examining Eve in John Milton's 'Paradise Lost' and "Paradise Regained"

Authors

Alyssa V. White, College of the Holy CrossFollow

Abstract

This essay explores the biblical world of John Milton’s poetry through the eyes of the only woman given dialogue in his most famous works, Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. Eve has often been read with scrutiny and judgment, with many readers and scholars dismissing her character as weak and uninteresting. The paper draws on sources from several scholars, but it works primarily with the actual text of Milton’s epics themselves. The argument of this paper seeks to counter those beliefs and provide a thorough analysis of Eve’s character and development throughout Paradise Lost, as well as her impact on the characters at the beginning of Paradise Regained.

Recommended Citation

White, Alyssa V. (2018) "Humanity's unlikely Heroine: Examining Eve in John Milton's 'Paradise Lost' and "Paradise Regained"," The Criterion: Vol. 2018, Article 9.
Available at: https://crossworks.holycross.edu/criterion/vol2018/iss1/9