John Milton's "Paradise Lost" is an attempt to justify the ways of God concerning Creation and the fall of man. Part of Milton's effort at justification is providing the characters of Adam, Eve, and Satan with a measure of humanity and depth not found in the Bible. As a result, the characters and their motivations are much more complex, thus making it much easier for the complex human audience to relate to them. Adam in particular is a remarkably deep character, blending loyalty and perfect morality with emotion and conviction. Holding counsel with God and directly receiving the commission for mankind, Adam is poised to brazenly lead the world in a perfect state of being. Yet Adam willingly chooses to fall from grace because of his love for the much deceived Eve at the hands of Satan. He is therefore essentially defined by the roles he plays with regard to the relationships in his life. Adam is characterized and conflicted by his positions as a servant of God, enemy of Satan, and companion of Eve.
Adam is created with the intent of being the guardian of God's creation and father to mankind. God gives Adam purpose by proclaiming, "This paradise I give thee, count it thine / To till and keep, and of the fruit to eat" (8.319-320). Adam's life is based upon the charge issued by God. As he is a perfect creation of God, he knows no other existence except for that of perfect service to God. He accepts his charge completely and Eden thus exists as his Paradise. It is truly an example of dramatic irony that Adam's revered status as a human with direct access to God is only threatened by his desire for another human relationship. Adam commits no sin when he asks God, "In solitude / What happiness, who can enjoy alone, / Or all enjoying, what contentment find" (8.364-366). It is certainly not wrong to want companionship, as is clearly seen when God grants his request by giving him Eve.
