Eden is at the very center of all the major events of Book IX of Paradise Lost, and Milton is eager to exploit its power as a setting. The Garden represents both the glory of God's Creation and the fragility of its existence. Milton juxtaposes Satan's speech to the Earth with Adam and Eve's praise to show how life-giving the expression of God's love can be. But in doing so, he also lays the groundwork for the Fall by revealing Eve's complacency and abandoned state in paradise. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Milton draws attention to the insatiable beauty of Eden through the eyes of Satan, perhaps the least predictable admirer of God's creation. This reinforces every compliment Satan pays to Earth and suggests that the perfection of Eden is impossible to ignore. But Milton points out how Satan has become so intoxicated by the apparent perfection of Eden that he confuses his theology and describes Earth as an "earthly paradise." In Genesis, God built the heavens and the Earth simultaneously. Therefore, to claim that God created Earth by learning from the mistakes he made in Heaven would be theologically incorrect. Furthermore, Satan's declaration that the Earth is a "fitty seat of the gods" has no basis in the Bible. Evans argues that this may be a deliberate attempt by Satan to console himself for the loss of Heaven; he must “inflate [his] value”. Rather than accepting the divine hierarchy that God has established, he prefers to perceive the other kingdoms as simple “unofficial lamps” which serve to illuminate Eden. However, Milton quickly reveals Satan's true feelings regarding his new home. His lush depiction of the pastoral scene with its “valleys, rivers, woods and plains” ends abruptly in the form of a “but”. Eden brings Satan's impossible internal conflict to the surface, for while he can observe its brilliance, he cannot appreciate it. The juxtaposition of “Pleasures around me” and “Torment within me” summarizes how his declaration of “irreconcilable war” condemned him to eternal suffering. He can observe the divine order all around him and yet his regrets translate into a strong desire to destroy "that which he has designed, six nights and days / continuous creation." His thirst for revenge is such that he even places the Fall in the past. Satan's encounter with Eden is therefore crucial to understanding why Satan feels compelled to corrupt humanity. The fruitfulness of Eden and man's duty to control it is a concept that Milton draws from Genesis 2:15. In the Bible, God entrusts Adam with the task of "managing" the Earth, of respecting Creation while by reigning it. This echoes the Protestant work ethic that states that one can only be worth something if one earns the respect of God. Milton begins this process with a pastoral scene of “morning praise” in Eden. A hierarchy develops on Earth, for while the "human couple" undertakes "vocal worship", the other animals limit themselves to "silent praise" and the "wet flowers" simply offer their "incense". Although Milton describes God as being sensitive to his creation in that "his nostrils are filled/with a grateful odor," there is a sense that all living things have a duty to praise his work. The Earth is represented as a “great altar” built for the sole purpose of paying homage to its Creator. But Milton's God also expects dedication in the form of physical labor. So, immediately afterwards, Adam and Eve obediently tend the Garden. Their hobby servescatalyst for Eve's imminent departure. In her speech to Adam, Eve states that Eden is a garden doomed to failure, as the workload "increases/luxurious by restraint", meaning that it seems to grow back twice as fast with each once it is reduced. Milton uses mimesis in the phrase "Lop overgrown, or prune, or prop, or bind" to emphasize how the task is accomplished.seems to accumulate indefinitely. Eve makes the practical suggestion that they "divide their work" and thus avoid the "informal talk" that slows their progress. But in his response, Adam tries to appeal to his more loving side rather than his reason. Her stirring apostrophe of “fellow soul, to me beyond/Compare all living creatures, dear” places Eve firmly on a pedestal. He then repeats words such as “spouse,” “joined,” and “conjugal” to express the importance of their unity. He even exaggerates the impact of Eve seeking her own employment by describing her as "separate from me", implying that she and he are of one flesh. He further attempts to persuade Eve not to leave him by painting a dark picture of Satan, who both know has recently entered the Garden. Milton uses caesura to emphasize the “desperation” of their “malicious enemy” and how precarious it would be to encounter him at such a time. Eve, however, is as gifted as Adam when it comes to powers of persuasion. She also flatters him with an elaborate apostrophe – “Offspring of heaven and earth, and lord of all the earth” – to communicate the degree to which she respects his authority. But she reacts with hostility to what she perceives as a criticism of his character, namely that he might "doubt" her "firmness" and therefore worry about Satan's power to corrupt her. Evans points out how Eve's speech becomes awkward and heavily alliterated in order to convey her agitation. She also makes the fatal mistake of assuming that she and Adam are "not capable of death or suffering", which proves false after the Fall. Adam tries to reassure Eve by telling her that he does not doubt her ability to resist temptation, but rather fears "the offered evil" that Satan could present to her. The temptation itself could inflict a “fault of dishonor” on Eve. He makes a stark contrast between “you alone” and “the two of us” to emphasize how superior they are as a “united front” against Satan. While Eve has become too comfortable in the serenity of Eden, Adam is keen to remain on guard against any potential danger. In his description of Eve's departure from Adam, Milton draws parallels between her and the "fallen" female characters of classical literature. Milton thus creates a distinctly disturbing atmosphere, in which it is implied that Eve will soon "fall" herself. Evans notes how "the comparisons become more and more sinister" as Eve becomes more and more distant from her husband. First, she is compared to a semi-divine "wood nymph" such as "Óread or Drýad", who resided innocently in the mountains and woods. Next, Milton makes a slightly ambiguous reference to Eve as a member of "Delia's train." Eve is a symbol of chastity, but she lacks the “bow and quiver” that would serve her successfully as a huntress. Furthermore, we know that Satan actively seeks to cast her out and bring about the Fall. A feeling of unease then begins to develop. Milton is much more explicit in his citation of “Pomona” – whose virginity a disguised god stole in an orchard – and her escape from “Vertúmmus”. Milton later predicts an "ambush hidden among the sweet flowers and shadows" as if to warn Eve of the dangers she will face. But the tone..