The Fall of Adam and Eve is the culmination of Paradise Lost which takes place in Book 9. The Fall is preceded by the scene of separation in which Adam and Eve chose to work from alone in the garden. When they choose to separate, Adam and Eve become more vulnerable to temptation. Their separation is not limited to the physical one. They are emotionally separated and commit sins against each other. Satan takes the opportunity to lead Eve to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This act is against the command given to them by God. The result is the fall of humanity. The scene of separation is the catalyst for the fall of humanity. The cause of the separation is undeniably Eva's selfishness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The parting scene begins with an argument between Eve and Adam. Eva wants to divide the work for the day; instead of working together, she wants to work alone. The problem is not that Adam and Eve can never be physically separated from each other. Adam even says, “For solitude is sometimes the best society / And a short retirement urges a sweet return” (Paradise Lost 9.249-250). Adam makes it clear that a short period of separation can also be positive. Eve is not seeking this brief physical separation that Adam speaks of. Instead, he desires a longer emotional separation. Adam explains to Eve that: Yet our Lord has not imposed work so severely as to prevent us when we need refreshment, whether of food, or of conversation, food of the mind, or this sweet intercourse of glances and smiles, because the smiles from reason flow, for brute denied, and are of love the food, not to love the lowest end of human life. For not for troublesome work, but to delight us he made us, and the pleasure of reason joined. (PL 9,235-43)The work entrusted by God to Adam and Eve is not rigorous. They have the freedom to relax and enjoy each other's presence. They are able to ignite love between each other through emotional bonding by looking and smiling. God made them to love and delight in one another. Therefore Eve's request is not simply to remain alone in the garden but to break this emotional bond with Adam. He wants to take a break from the bond. This emotional separation can be equated to a divorce because Adam and Eve no longer act as “one flesh.” Their emotions are separate. When she demands that they work separately, Eve seeks emotional separation from Adam. Eve's inclination to separate from Adam stems from her selfish nature. God created her as an inward-looking person. When Eve woke up after being created by God from Adam's rib, she went to look at her reflection in a lake. This is the first instance where Eve's self-absorption is visible As I bent to look, right in front, A shape appeared within the watery glow as it responded with looks of sympathy and love; there I had fixed my eyes until now, and I was pining with vain desire... (PL 460-466)When Eve looks at her reflection it is a memory of the story of Narcissus who falls in love with his reflection. The language used by Eve in communicating this event to Adam resembles that of someone who is in love with himself. He seems to play lovingly with his reflection. Eva describes this experience as a “vain wish” for herself. This is just the beginning of Eve's narcissistic attitude that will ultimately lead to her separation from Adam. Eve's desire to separate from Adam is contrary to what God commands her. God first commands them never to eat of the tree of knowledge and secondly says that"...[their] reason is [their] law" (PL 9.654). The smiles that Adam and Eve share derive from this reason. If they are separated, they cannot share these smiles and lose the emotional bond they share. Therefore Eve's desire to separate from Adam is against her reason and breaks the command given by God. Since Adam and Eve choose to separate, their fall is not only due to the consumption of the fruit but also to their emotional separation. Eating apple violates the greatest commandment. The separation scene violates the second greatest commandment. Jesus says the two greatest commandments are: “'...to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind... [and love] your neighbor as yourself . On these two commandments hangs all the law and the prophets'” (Matthew 22:37-40 RSV). These commands given by Jesus parallel the commands given to Adam and Eve. The first greatest commandment is broken when they choose to eat the apple. Eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is an act of sin because it is an act that neglects the love of the Father. It is a failure to love God as commanded. Adam and Eve disobey God by eating the fruit. This is a sin against the greatest commandment. The second greatest commandment is broken before they eat the fruit. When Adam and Eve separate from each other it leads them to sin because they are unable to love. Therefore the scene of separation is part of the fall of man because before sinning against God, Adam and Eve sinned against each other. Adam and Eve's sin against each other causes their sin against God. Adam and Eve were created to be together and therefore complement each other. The only thing God said that wasn't good was when he created man. “'It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him...'” (Genesis 2:18). God created Eve to be perfect for Adam. Without her it is imperfect. When Eve asks Adam to be separated, she is asking for Adam to return to his lower state of being, devoid of his perfect harmony. When separated from Adam, Eve reflects on herself in an unhealthy way. She no longer has Adam keeping her in check by sharing herself with him. It is visible even before she leaves him. Eve puts her own will above that of Adam. He leaves even though he should respect Adam's authority over his own will. The opposite could be said of Adam. Without Eva, he has no one to project himself onto. Adam explains this to Eve: From the influence of your looks I receive access to every virtue, in your eyes wiser, more alert, stronger, if necessary than external strength; while the shame you look at, the shame to overcome or overcome, the greatest vigor would raise and unite. Why shouldn't you feel common sense within you when I am present, and your test chooses with me, the best witness of your proven virtue. (PL 309-317)Adam receives virtue solely from the presence of Eve. Since he was created to protect and watch over God's creation, he needs Eve to express these virtues. Its presence empowers him to remain virtuous. Likewise, Eve will pervert her internal reflection without Adam holding her accountable. She will have no other obligations and will only worry about herself. The separation of Adam and Eve turns out to be problematic because they were made to be together. The obvious result of Adam and Eve's separation is their eventual separation from God. This occurs when they eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve is the first to eat the fruit. After working alone, Eva has time to reflect more on herself. She is now emotionally and physically separated from Adam. The serpent observes Eve “…careless meanwhile, / She herself, although theloveliest flower without support, / From its best support yet, and storm so near” (PL 9.431-433). Eva is not aware of her surroundings because she reflects internally. This makes her as vulnerable as an unsupported flower when a storm approaches. Adam is not there to support Eve as Satan comes to tempt her. It also catches Eve in a weaker state of mind as her narcissistic mindset has developed into a more selfish state. Eve's emotional and physical separation from Adam, as well as her narcissistic defect, lead her to fall into Satan's temptation. Eve's internal reflection is the preparation for Satan to tempt her successfully. Satan is able to use Eve's selfishness against her. First he flatters her, which boosts her confidence. When they arrive at the tree Eve at first does not want to disobey God and eat the fruit. Satan tells her that she is forbidden to eat from the tree “…to keep you low and ignorant…” (PL 9.704). He states that "...you will be as gods, / knowing both good and evil as they know" (PL 9.708-709). The serpent's words strike at Eve's selfish side. She does not wish to be low and ignorant, but to be like a god. He questions God's command "But if death / binds us with successive bonds, then what use is / our inner freedom?" (PL 9.760-762). Eve does not think that her inner freedom should be limited as God has decided. Once again Eva seeks separation. This time he seeks separation from God's will instead of Adam. By eating the fruit, Eve emotionally leaves God and commits sin to a greater extent. Just as Eve's inner reflection rises after their separation, Adam's outer reflection also rises. Without Eve to project his love onto, his desires are instead built within him. Adam realizes to a greater extent how much he needs Eve. Eagerly awaiting her return, she had woven of the choicest flowers a garland to adorn her tresses, and her rural labors crowned As reapers often are wont their harvest queen. Great joy has he promised to his thoughts, and new comfort in her return, so long delayed… (PL 9.839-844) Adam's passion for Eve is so great that he needs to provide for her even when she is absent. Create a flower garland to give her out of love. At the same time, the mere thought of her return makes him happy. A short period of time without Eve seems like an eternity to Adam. His desires for her increase exponentially. Adam makes Eve a garland to curb her desire for her beloved. When Eve is reunited with Adam, it is too late. Adam no longer has the ability to walk away from her again. He too must indulge in sin against God. Adam is “Surely [his] resolution is to die…” (PL 907). Since Eve has fallen, he knows that he will also have to fall. “I feel / Nature's bond draws me: flesh of flesh, / Bone of my bones you are, and from your state / Mine will never be separated, neither bliss nor woe” (PL 913-916). At this point Adam has learned the repercussions of being without Eve. This feeling combined with his natural desire to be with her leads him to follow her even in sin. He describes them as an entity from which they will no longer be separated. If Adam hadn't already known what it felt like to be without Eve, he wouldn't have indulged in this sin with her. Therefore Adam's separation from Eve is an integral part of his fall. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Adam and Eve's sin comes from their failure to follow the commands given to them by God. First, he commands them to never eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Then he tells them to use reason (1995)..