"The Weaker Sex?"

Women and men. For some reason, the struggle between them, begun since creation, goes on as ceaselessly as the earth itself. Milton's Paradise Lost illustrates this concept beautifully when, in Book 9, the sexes are pitted against one another in a manner that has never been rivaled since. Adam and Eve's fall from grace marks the beginning of civilization as we know it. To pose the question "Is it really all Eve's fault?" then, is to dispute the very origins of man. It is a point of great significance, especially considering how consistently man has shifted blame for his mortal and sinful state onto that "wanton" woman.

For decades now, women have sought to liberate themselves and to become equals in every sense of the word. I can not say how difficult this endeavor has been, because I merely reap its benefits. I do, however, consider myself an open-minded and independent woman. A feminist, even. Understandably, then, I resent the insinuation that Adam was totally oblivious to his part in the fall, or that Eve was solely responsible for the eradication of Eden. Both parties are equally responsible. In fact, if the patriarchy's theory that "women are the weaker sex" actually were true, it would seem that Adam would be the more responsible of the two. Eve is only a simple-minded woman. Made from the rid of a man, no less! But let's not be bitter. I'll stop at equal fault, and leave the rest "up to god", as the saying goes.

Adam is perfectly aware of the consequences of eating from the tree of knowledge. He has been warned that such a temptation will occur. He and Eve have both been told specifically not to eat the apple "Serpent, we might have spared our coming hither…of this tree we may not taste or touch: God so commanded, and left that command sole daughter of his voice" (Book 9, Ln. 647-653). In fact, when Eve confesses her actions to him, Adam "astonished stood blank, while horror chill ran through his veins" (Book 9, Ln. 892-894). Then he says, "The strict forbiddance, how to violate the sacred fruit forbidden!" (Book 9, Ln. 903-904). This statement proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Adam knew it would be wrong to eat the fruit. Why did he do it, then?

Adam is totally devoted to Eve. When Eve wants to be independent, Adam bends to her will. When Eve wants anything, in fact, Adam bends to her will. He is her eager servant, and very rarely shows any form of disapproval or defiance. All she has to do is stomp her naked little foot and pout a little pout (imagine that! The inventor of the guilt trip!), and Eve gets her way, no questions asked. Look at Adam's weak response to her desire to work separately: "Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more. Go in native innocence; rely on what thou hast of virtue" (Book 9, Ln. 372-375). His devotion is further voiced when Eve has eaten of the tree of knowledge: "And me with thee hath ruined, for with thee certain my resolution is to die. How can I live without thee…to live again in these wild woods forlorn?" (Book 9, Ln. 906-910). If he had any friends, I'm sure they would all have taunted and plagued him endlessly for it. But that's the beauty of their arrangement (at least from Eve's point of view). There is no one to challenge her complete and total control of her man. No one, except God, that is. He is the one who hands down the law, and the only other force in Adam's life. Surely Eve must have resented this. Certainly she had furrowed her brow many times and questioned the authority of this "God" herself. When The Serpent slithered up and vocalized these very same ideas, Satan must have known that he was right on her wavelength. After all, it didn't take much convincing. So Eve's subordinate and rebellious appetite is satiated. But this is not enough. She now wants to involve Adam in this unholy ploy, and tear him away from the good favor of his master. Well she knows the consequences of her action and that Adam will suffer right along with her. But her twisted logic justifies the partnership: "Confirmed then I resolve, Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe: so dear I love him, that with him all deaths I could endure, without him live no life" (Book 9, Ln. 830-833). Thus, she exerts all her womanly wiles in order to assuage him. Satan's words resound in her mouth, but are only a verbalization of her own thoughts. This is the crucial moment. Here, Adam could finally stand up for himself, and for his God. He could tell Eve to go to hell (no pun), take his fig leaf, and walk away. But does he? Of course not. Instead, we see him irresolutely turning the issue over and over. He finally resolves, practically on a whim, to disregard eternal life in favor of a mortal one with Eve and says, "Our state cannot be severed; we are one, one flesh; to lose thee were to lose myself" (Book 9, Ln. 958-960). He knows the difference between right and wrong. He knows which decision he should make. Unfortunately, like so many other men, his logic is overcome by his emotion (or, more appropriately, by the hot naked chick right in front of him). "With liberal hand; he scrupled not to eat, against his better knowledge, not deceived, but fondly overcome with female charm" (Book 9, Ln. 997-999). I could be a romantic, and chalk it up to undying love. It could be said that he sacrificed eternity to spend his life with Eve. However, I'm not a romantic, in addition to which I find it appalling that any man should be so completely at the disposal of a woman. Adam makes his decision totally conscious of the consequences. It is only those who came after him that began pointing fingers. It was all that cursed woman's fault. Eve was responsible for the destruction of Eden. Poor Adam was merely some nubile innocent, beguiled by her cruel witchery into throwing away eternal life. This is as much a bunch of hogwash as the notion that Eve had no malintent to begin with. Yes, she meant to ensnare him, but Eve only pushes Adam as far as Adam lets himself be pushed.

So, ever since this fateful day, women have been to blame for every mistake that man ever made. Cleopatra ruined Caesar, Delilah ruined Samson, Helen's face launched a thousand ships. Did it ever occur to these men that that the crumbling of their empires was their own fault? A result of poor decision making and impotent ability? Shifting the blame and further oppressing their female counterparts is merely one more way to atone for their inherent weakness to the very creatures they condemn. It's the only way they can retain their masculinity. Women hold immeasurable power over men: the batting of an eyelash, the swing of a hip, or pucker of a lip. Any of these things would be enough to captivate and enslave a man. They are the ones that are weak to submit to it. They are the ones to blame for their own shortcomings. Based on this reasoning, I can't really buy into the theory that Adam is totally faultless. Was Eve out to manipulate Adam one more time? Certainly. Could Adam have resisted? Absolutely. This is just as certain as Eve's intentions. Both are responsible, accountable, answerable. However you want to put it, one thing comes through: this is the one case in history where both sexes really were equal.