That night, in the form of a toad, he squats at Eve’s ear as she sleeps and sends an evil dream. He does not understand why God wants them to be ignorant, but he decides to excite their minds for knowledge. Satan is envious of their love but delighted to learn the secret about the prohibition. When she was led to Adam, she knew him for her “other half.” They retire to their bower after nuptial rites. Eve agrees, telling Adam about the day of her birth and her search for the other part of her soul. This is the sole prohibition and sign of obedience to God. Satan is jealous of their “Divine resemblance.” He disguises himself so he may overhear them.Īdam explains the taboo to Eve, that they must never taste the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, or they will die. Then he spies Adam and Eve, as beautiful as angels. He sees the far reaches of paradise with its four rivers, fields, trees, and nectar bearing plants, fruits, and flowers. Satan perches on the Tree of Life devising death for humans. Since he is unable to repent, he goes ahead with his plan of revenge. God is just, he sees, and yet it does him no good, since he freely chooses his own fate. Satan punishes himself with “troubl’d thoughts” from “the Hell within him, for within him Hell he brings.” Satan admits that pride and ambition have been his downfall, that God has not oppressed him. Now he knows what he has lost, for Eden is like heaven. Satan alights on earth and finally, the full realization of his guilt comes home to him in a magnificent soliloquy of envy at the beauty of paradise.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |