An Analysis of the Character of Eve in Paradise Lost

Milton's Eve is different from the other versions thanks to her desire for independence and personal identity. For the first time, Eve is not entirely subjected to Adam and she can think, and value things on her own. After admiring her image in the water, an episode similar to the Myth of Narcissus written by Ovid, Eve understands her potential and her need to find herself before someone else and changes her mind only because God tells her that she is moving away from reality. During her life in the Garden, Eve feels the need to move away from Adam, she does not want to be his image, but to have an identity of her own. This desire is expressed in the episode in which Eve explains to Adam why it would be easier to divide their work. But at the same time, Eve remains fixed in tradition, she is still subjected to her husband, as a result of the misogynistic society Milton lives in. For this reason, although she presents important innovations it is not possible to say that she is an innovative character in all aspects.