For centuries, John Milton's portrayal of Eve in Paradise Lost has been characterized as misogynistic in the sense that Eve acts like a narcissistic simpleton who is chained to Adam by divine right. Feminists also assume that since Eve was last created, she is automatically placed in the role of submissive. However, it must be recognized that Eve knows that she belongs to the fairer sex and that she is the first to question divine authority. It is she who wants to divide the work so that it is done more quickly and that Adam and Eve are equal in the maintenance of the garden. It is because of her desire to be equal to Adam that she is the first to eat the fruit and therefore the first to fall. Throughout Paradise Lost, Milton emphasizes the idea of ​​free will and that it was through free will that humanity fell from paradise. Free will cannot be ignored when talking about Eve and her role in Paradise Lost, as she makes the decision to follow God and then disobey his commandments. Free will also controls whether Eve is forced to submit or chooses to be submissive. We must not forget that Eve chose to eat the forbidden fruit; she is not forced by Satan to do so. Although he tempts her with the possibility of knowledge, she is the one who makes the decision to eat it; she could have ignored Satan's seductive words. Overall, Milton's Eve should be seen as a more dynamic figure than feminists believe and Eve has an inner strength and personality that cannot be denied. From the first time Eve is mentioned in Paradise Lost, she is known for her beauty. , not his future sins. Milton describes Eve as modest but unashamed and although she uses gentle persuasion, she does not tease those who are impressed by her (Musacchio 97)....... middle of paper ...... y Women Writers . Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania, 2008. Print. Milton, John. “Paradise lost”. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ed. Carol T. Christ, Catherine Robson, Stephen Greenblatt and MH Abrams. 8th ed. New York, New York: WW Norton, 2006. 725-852. Print.Musacchio, George. Milton's Adam and Eve: fallible perfection. Flight. 118. New York: Peter Lang Publishing Inc., 1991. Print. American University Studies: English Language and Literature. Ser. 4.Schoenfeldt, Michael C. “Gender and Conduct in Paradise Lost.” Sexuality and gender in modern Europe: institutions, texts, images. Ed. James G. Turner. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1995. 310-38. Print. Whitfield, Jonathan. “The Invisible Woman: The Image of Eve in Paradise Lost.” Oshkosh Scholar. Flight. II. Oskosh, WI: University of Wisconsin Press, 2007. 57-61. Print.