Re: Mimeticism in Paradise Lost -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 19:17:27 05/03/08 Sat
Author: Janelle
Subject: Re: Mimeticism in Paradise Lost
In reply to: Janelle 's message, "Re: Contagion in Paradise Lost" on 05:51:30 04/25/08 Fri

In class we discuss the idea of Adam and Eve being tempted into eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge because of their mimetic desire--they desire to be gods themselves and so, in order to be like God they eat the fruit. In Milton's portrayal of of the Fall in "Paradise Lost", he adds to the narrative another take on Eve. For the most part, Eve is depicted as basically a dumb blond type figure while all the rationality and intellectuality is reserved for Adam. Although this is not presented as or viewed as a problem prior to Satan's conversation with Eve, once the first bite of fruit is taken, Eve admits her inferiority and hopes that the fruit might positively affect her in regards to Adam. She says that she hope it will "'render me more equal, and perhaps, / A thing not undesirable, sometime / Superior; for inferior who is free?'" (Book 9 lines 823-825) Not only does Eve desire to be like God she desires to be like and occasionally be better than Adam. For once, she wishes to be superior but this is a desire she only admits after eating the fruit.

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