Planting the Seeds of Jealously in PARADISE LOST

All prominent works of literature have at their center a strong counterpoint. After every, if there was no dispute between the protagonist and the opposer thus there would be niggling of interest to any work. Not all conflict, however, is extraneous. That is, while the protagonist and the antagonist whitethorn be in conflict there argon likewise a number of inner(a)ized conflicts that the characters possess as well. Often, it is this internal conflict that drives the external conflict. Such is the case with the fourth and fifth books of John Miltons enlightenment lost(p) as there are a number of internal conflicts that are born of senses of jealousy and inferiority.When we first look at Book 4 of PARADISE LOST we are introduced to the pitiful figure of Satan. Please note, the record book pitiful is not used here flippantly. The character truly appears pathetic. check of this would be the result of Satan essentially macrocosm a unknown in a strange land who no longer fee ls grateful in heaven as he is cast out. This builds into a sense of smell resentment, anger and jealously towards the Earth in its paradise form. Satan then becomes driven to travel to paradise and disrupt things. It would seem almost as if Satan is a spoiled child who would rather nullify a toy rather than let anyone else play with it.Satan then re-directs his internal conflicts towards the inhabitants of paradise with even being his intended prey. If Satan can destroy Eve he can destroy paradise. Of course, if Eve were strong she would be able to fend off his tempting besides she is not. This is because she is also internally conflicted.In Book Five, the Angel Gabriel informs Adam that there is the possibility that they may evolve to a higher power. But, in order to do so they mustiness remain loyal to God. On the surface, this would seem like a rather simple task. Simply follow orders and all will be well. Of course, human beings have a tendency to be their own finish off enemies and this was not lost upon Adam or Eve. In this case, it was Eve who falters first. pop out of the reason for this is that Eve also possesses a reliable sense of conflict not unlike Satan. (This is fore tushed in the dream sequence which we will short discuss) Satan as a fallen holy man feels a certain sense of inferiority towards the angels that are still in the good graces of God. In a similar vein, Eve feels equally conflicted since she feels inferior to Adam. After all, the angel discusses how she and Adam can obtain perfection but he and discusses this with Adam. As such(prenominal), there is a certain snub Eve feels and this is probably what led to her being more susceptible to the taunts of Satan.In a way, Eves finally jealously is similar to Satan. Since the root of Satans rebuke of God can be traced to his jealously towards son it would not be out of the question that Eve would also feel a similar jealously. Her jealousy, however, is directed towards Adam who is ostensibly favored by God and the heavens. Much like with Satan, this jealously would exhibit to be her undoing.This does not occur in the fourth of fifth chapter but it is foreshadowed by asequence where God acknowledges that his creations the humans will at long last falland falter. It would seem that God understands such feelings are human genius and that they can not be circumvented no matter what. Perhaps, God understands that all creatures in heaven and earth are flawed and these flaws lead to the lite emotions of jealously, pride and envy that are their undoing.It is also foreshadowed in the early set forth of Book Five, Eve has a dream that foreshadows her fall. Adam warns her to not make up mind to thoughts of feeding from the Tree of Knowledge. However, we can see how the seed of such malfeasance is planted. But, there is a clear understanding here that inferiority exists. In other words, since there is a Tree of Knowledge there must obviously be things that Ad am and Eve do not know. In other words, they are obviously imperfect beings that are in the shadow of God and the angels. Again, this creates the seeds of jealousy that will later manifest into resentment and defiance.Remember, PARADISE LOST is not so much most physically being cast out of paradise as much as it is about the sad realization that all beings are flawed. Among these major flaws are notions that an unmarried will suffer from envy and jealously emotions which can lead to great undoing if not properly placed in check. Sadly, the seeds of jealousy in these two chapters of PARADISE LOST grow until they ultimately deliver what the title of the work would suggest an outright loss of salvation and the birth of the propensity to regain it. This, of course, is another tale for another time.