Milton employs other characters to reinforce Eve’s weakness. At the beginning of book IX, Raphael warns Adam that Eve’s weakness could make her susceptible to Satan’s deceit, which could lead to the fall of mankind: “But listen not to his temptations warn/ Thy weaker; let it profit thee to have heard/ By terrible example the reward” (VI. 908-910). Eve is branded as weak, which places Adam in a position of power. Eve begins to view herself as weak as the story develops, convinced by the opinion of those around her: “The willinger I go; nor much expect/ A foe so proud will first the weaker seek;” (IX. 382-383). Eve is not only labeled weak by others, but also accepts herself as weak.
