Planting the Seeds of Jealously in PARADISE LOST

All great works of literature have at their center a dependable conflict. After all, if at that place was no conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist then there would be little of interest to any work. Not all conflict, however, is external. That is, while the protagonist and the antagonist may be in conflict there are withal a number of internecineized 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 PARADISE LOST as there are a number of internal conflicts that are born of senses of jealousy and inferiority.When we first see to it at Book 4 of PARADISE LOST we are introduced to the pitiful figure of deuce. Please note, the newsworthiness pitiful is not used here flippantly. The character truly appears pathetic. Part of this would be the result of Satan essentially being a stranger in a strange land who no lengthy feels welcome in heaven as he is cast out. This builds into a feeling resentment, anger and covetously towards the Earth in its paradise form. Satan then becomes driven to travel to paradise and disrupt things. It would front almost as if Satan is a spoiled child who would rather destroy a con rather than let anyone else play with it.Satan then re-directs his internal conflicts towards the inhabitants of paradise with evening being his intend prey. If Satan raft destroy Eve he can destroy paradise. Of course, if Eve were strong she would be able to fend off his tempting except she is not. This is because she is also internally conflicted.In Book Five, the nonesuch Gabriel informs ecstasy that there is the possibility that they may evolve to a higher power. But, in order to do so they must remain loyal to beau ideal. On the surface, this would seem like a rather saucer-eyed task. Simply follow orders and all go out be well. Of course, human beings have a tendency to be their own worst enemi es and this was not lost upon Adam or Eve. In this case, it was Eve who falters first.Part of the sympathy for this is that Eve also possesses a true sense of conflict not unlike Satan. (This is foreshadowed in the inspiration sequence which we will soon discuss) Satan as a fallen angel feels a certain sense of inferiority towards the angels that are still in the good graces of theology. 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 only discusses this with Adam. As such, 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 eventually jealously is similar to Satan. Since the root of Satans rebuke of idol 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 seemingl y favored by God and the heavens. overmuch like with Satan, this jealously would prove 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 eventually falland falter. It would seem that God understands such feelings are human nature 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 weak emotions of jealously, pride and begrudge that are their undoing.It is also foreshadowed in the early part of Book Five, Eve has a dream that foreshadows her fall. Adam warns her to not pay mind to thoughts of feeding from the shoetree 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 Adam 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 about physically being cast out of paradise as much as it is about the sad acknowledgment that all beings are flawed. Among these major flaws are notions that an individual 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 cardinal chapters of PARADISE LOST grow until they ultimately deliver what the title of the work would suggest an outright harm of salvation and the birth of the desire to regain it. This, of course, is another tale for another time.