Background Information
Satan has come in Paradise for settling up his scores (بدلہ لینے کے لیے) with God Almighty for defeating himself and his fleet in the battle which was depicted in Book 1 of Paradise Lost. God Almighty warns the newly crafted couple from the temptation which Satan might inflict upon them. Adam wants Eve to work collectively because in solitude, Satan might seduce one of them with his web of "guile and fraud". But Eve says that she can work alone and she can easily withstand the temptation because "Solitude sometimes is the best society".
Eve's Arguments in Favour of Working Alone
First Argument: Their garden is bearing the fruit more than they expect. Eve says that they should divide their labour because together, they hardly get their work done.
Second Argument: Solitude sometimes is the best policy. (Adam's Argument)
Third Argument: When Adam Reminds her about working together so that they can defend themselves from the attack of Satan, she questions Adam that has he any faith in her instead of doubting her ability to resist temptation?
Fourth Argument: When Adam says that it will be shameful for her to suffer temptation along, she replies Adam that temptation is not an evil thing but this will highlight how evil Satan is as well as her endurance to repel the bait.
Fifth Argument: Lastly, Eve asserts that Satan will not try to ensnare a weaker sex (woman she is) as it will be a great dint to his proudful personality,
"A Foe so proud will first the weaker seek,
So bent, the more shall shame him his repulse. "
Adam submits himself to Eve's arguments. Eve promises him that she will return by noon but her return is not the same as she greets him in the morning.
Source and Suggested Reading
- https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/paradise-lost/summary/book-9
- https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/p/paradise-lost/summary-and-analysis/book-ix
- https://www.dartmouth.edu/~milton/reading_room/pl/book_9/text.shtml
