Discuss the techniques and arguments Satan uses to tempt Eve.

Satan returns to Earth and tempts Eve in book IX of John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost. Before Satan approaches her, Eve puts herself in danger by insisting that she and Adam can get more done by working individually, instead of together. Adam disagrees, arguing that the archangel Rafael has warned them of danger. However, Adam finally gives in and allows Eve to go off by herself. This makes her more vulnerable to Satan's enticements and arguments.

Satan appears to Eve in the form of a serpent, so his first technique is disguising himself. He piques her interest by using the technique of flattery, complimenting her on her beauty. He tells her that she should be "a Goddess among Gods, adored and served by angels numberless." Eve is surprised at the serpent's ability to speak, and Satan says that he attained this gift by eating from a special tree. He then takes her to the Tree of Knowledge.

When Satan suggests that Eve eat the fruit of the tree, at first she protests, telling the serpent that God has forbidden them from eating from this tree—if they do, they will die. Satan then uses the technique of deception, saying that eating the fruit of the tree will not kill Eve or Adam. In fact, says Satan, God told them not to eat from the tree because he knew that it would cause Adam and Eve to become gods themselves and live forever.


...he knows that in the day
Ye Eate thereof, your Eyes that seem so cleere,
Yet are but dim, shall perfetly be then
Open'd and cleer'd, and ye shall be as Gods,
Knowing both Good and Evil as they know.


So Satan also uses the technique of playing upon Eve's greed and pride, offering her a position of godhood equal to God himself if she will only disobey God and eat the fruit. She does eat it, and offers it to Adam, and then they are forced to leave the Garden of Eden.