ABSTRACT
Adam and Eve go through a number of changes, as they come to realize what they have done. Adam's guile is displayed when he denounces Eve despite his protestations of reluctance. Perhaps he should hide her "failing, while her Faith to him remains"; but then "both sin and punishment" would fall entirely on him. One of the greatest lessons of the fall is the importance of male dominance and female submission. Adam's blaming Eve for his fall is understandable, and his wish that God had found "some other way to generate / Mankind" than by creating "this fair defect / Of Nature" also makes sense psychologically. Adam's optimism increases as he envisions mollifying God in much the way that Eve had placated him. Reconciliation takes place, however, after which Adam and Eve have visions of making peace with God.
