Book VIII

Abstract

– ll.5-38 = “why does the sun apparently revolve around the earth, his apparent ‘inferior’?” Milton’s stately and prolix style weights down these books of exposition. – Eve departs, though “not, as not with such discourse delighted.” o She calls forth a counter-factual desire, at 63, a kind of dissatisfaction. Not unlike later moment when Adam tries to retain Raphael, at 206ff. o She is also not uninterested; cf. her earlier question re the stars, 657-58. what is the purpose of lights which are unregarded by humans? o Astronomy in particular place where A and E ask questions about the larger order of the universe and their place in it. o Because the sun and moon are “gendered” – “these two great sexes animate the world” (151) – R’s discussion at 90 ff (“Great or Bright infers not Excellence”) maps potentially onto how we understand men and women in the poem. − Raphael refuses to answer the question conclusively, though he advances a number of hypothesis – these are “matters hid”. At 172ff, he suggests that Adam concern himself with more “lowly” wisdom, more relevant to his own being; Adam replies by praising the “easiest way” R has taught him to live. o Is R significantly limiting human knowledge and desire to know? o Has Adam heard him correctly, is the point to avoid intricacy and perplexing thoughts, and if so why? o “Wand’ring thoughts” may bring care (not sin). Note here what Adam says re the “uncheckt” roving of the Fancy; cp. Milton’s fear of falling from his winged steed “erroneous ... to wander and forlorn” (VII 19-20). Imagination has its dangers as well as its pleasures; recall here Adam’s explanation to Eve of her troubling dream at V 100-13. When Reason – the governing faculty -sleeps, Fancy wakes to do “wild work”. Eve’s dream is of waking while Adam sleeps, without him there to restrain her flight, her appetite, her primary reign. (Adam also sees Eve’s creation through “the Cell of Fancy” at 460). o “That which before us lies in daily life, is the prime Wisdom”. Do we agree? Agree in this case?