In the epic poem, Paradise Lost, John Milton depicts Eve as a woman who is solely made for beauty and man. Many readers believe that Milton had trouble with women in his life that contributed to his nearly sexist writings about Eve. Therefore, his perception of women in Paradise Lost is biased due to his experiences. Eve is noted as a selfish woman who committed sin for her gain. John Milton's portrayal of Eve in Paradise Lost is both biased and overbearing due to his personal experiences.
In the Bible and Paradise Lost, Eve is unattractive from the start. She is to blame for eating the forbidden fruit and the separation between her and Adam in Book Nine. Although many are not fond of Eve, present day, she is respected in the history of women for her independence and curiosity in the Garden of Eden. Eve is aroused by the forbidden fruit because of its appetizing looks and her curiosity. She feels that if she eats the fruit, she will be wise, maybe even wiser than Adam. Although God commanded her and Adam to avoid the tree, the couple devours the fruit anyways. After the two eat the fruit, they know what they have done. Throughout history, Eve has always held the blame for eating the fruit, although Adam ate it as well. John Milton depicts Eve as a simply beautiful woman that God made for Adam and to be the mother of humankind. Milton does not see Eve as an independent woman, but only as a sinner. Eve is seen as a submissive being that is clueless from the start. One of the first scenes Eve appears in Paradise Lost, is when she is drawn to her reflection in the water in Book 4. Many, including Milton, have discouraged Eve because they believe she is enthralled by her beauty. However, Eve had the right to be captivated with herself in the lake. She is curious and fascinated with herself and how God made her. Milton depicts her as a self-centered woman who God created just for Adam and from Adam.