Milton’s pro-feminist presentation of Eve in Paradise Lost

Abstract

This paper absolves John Milton from any critical and feminist accusation of being anti-feminist in Paradise Lost. Such defense of Milton is based on the close reading and analysis of the passages that focus on Adam and Eve in the text. This study highlights Milton’s modern view of women as independent, free, and responsible. It also presents his iconoclasm in representing women as leaders and initiative takers when decision is to be taken. This study shows Milton reversing traditional gender roles through the relationship of Adam and Eve. In addition, one can find a modern emphasis on the principles of equality, democracy, dialogue, freedom, and free will available in the poem and designed in a way that serves Eve’s rights in comparison with Adam’s. Therefore, my voice in defending Milton joins the cohort of critics who believe of Milton’s wide perspective of pro-feminism and not a person of misogyny.