Gender Differences And Eve's Hierarchy In Paradise Lost

372 Words2 Pages
While Eve’s subordination throughout Paradise Lost is obvious, it is also unfair. Due to the differences in their creation, it is impossible for them to truly become equals. Adam comes from God and Eve comes from Adam. As the ‘greater sex’, Adam will always have some inherent power over Eve but despite this, Eve also proves herself to also have some power of her own over Adam. Although the gender differences between Adam and Eve allow for a hierarchy to be created in Eden. This hierarchy doesn’t necessarily stem from biological gender but rather circumstantial and social roles that need to be filled. Thus, Adam and Eve’s difference in qualities allow them to come together to create a whole – Adam the half of reason and Eve the half of emotion.