Knowledge vs. Ignorance
Adam and Job are knowledge-seeking people, but for different reasons. Adam is inexperienced, and like a child, he is naturally curious about the world around him. Job begins questioning only after he is struck by a curse and does not understand why. Adam first begins inquiring around Book V as Raphael enters the scene. Raphael warns Adam “Your bodies may at last turn all to spirit…If ye be found obedient and retain/Unalterably firm his love entire/Whose progeny you are” (Milton, 126). Adam thus questions “What meant that caution joined, ‘If ye be found/Obedient…’?” (126). Is the statement of Raphael not clear enough? Why does Adam feel the need to define obedience? Is he simply curious, or is he trying to acquire the …show more content…
This leads to the assumption, that Adam is contemplating or envisioning what it would be like to eat the fruit of knowledge, and what he would gain from it. It is in human nature to be curious, but why can Adam not accept the fact that he cannot comprehend the entire world and that some matters are not meant for his knowing (185 lines 167-168).
Adam’s cures his burning curiosity as he eats the forbidden fruit (lines 1003-1006), but the knowledge that he gains from this is that of the world, perfection, and innocence he will lose soon after (lines 1053-1058). This sin is not pointless, as it shapes Adam from a flawless human into a wise human, one who has or is learning from their mistakes (279 lines 763-764). However, it is detrimental to Adam’s view of his life and the world(s) around him (298 lines …show more content…
Job inquires, “Can’t I tell right from wrong? If I sinned wouldn’t I know it?” (23). Soon after, he asks “If I sinned, what have I done to you, Watcher of Men?” (24). However immediately after this statement Job repeats the infamous “Why me?” question (24). This situation turned from a moment of possible learning, right back into the “Why am I being punished?” and “What did I do wrong?” questions, which show how Job has not matured whatsoever. He was ignorant to pain and misery, but that is not the case now. This loss of ignorance caused him to question everything, but he must come to a conclusion and learn from this experience. Job comes to a realization, however still being arrogant, when he states “I am guiltless, but his mouth condemns me; blameless, but his words convict me. He does not care; so I say he murders both the pure and the wicked.”
Adam and Job are knowledge-seeking people, but for different reasons. Adam is inexperienced, and like a child, he is naturally curious about the world around him. Job begins questioning only after he is struck by a curse and does not understand why. Adam first begins inquiring around Book V as Raphael enters the scene. Raphael warns Adam “Your bodies may at last turn all to spirit…If ye be found obedient and retain/Unalterably firm his love entire/Whose progeny you are” (Milton, 126). Adam thus questions “What meant that caution joined, ‘If ye be found/Obedient…’?” (126). Is the statement of Raphael not clear enough? Why does Adam feel the need to define obedience? Is he simply curious, or is he trying to acquire the …show more content…
This leads to the assumption, that Adam is contemplating or envisioning what it would be like to eat the fruit of knowledge, and what he would gain from it. It is in human nature to be curious, but why can Adam not accept the fact that he cannot comprehend the entire world and that some matters are not meant for his knowing (185 lines 167-168).
Adam’s cures his burning curiosity as he eats the forbidden fruit (lines 1003-1006), but the knowledge that he gains from this is that of the world, perfection, and innocence he will lose soon after (lines 1053-1058). This sin is not pointless, as it shapes Adam from a flawless human into a wise human, one who has or is learning from their mistakes (279 lines 763-764). However, it is detrimental to Adam’s view of his life and the world(s) around him (298 lines …show more content…
Job inquires, “Can’t I tell right from wrong? If I sinned wouldn’t I know it?” (23). Soon after, he asks “If I sinned, what have I done to you, Watcher of Men?” (24). However immediately after this statement Job repeats the infamous “Why me?” question (24). This situation turned from a moment of possible learning, right back into the “Why am I being punished?” and “What did I do wrong?” questions, which show how Job has not matured whatsoever. He was ignorant to pain and misery, but that is not the case now. This loss of ignorance caused him to question everything, but he must come to a conclusion and learn from this experience. Job comes to a realization, however still being arrogant, when he states “I am guiltless, but his mouth condemns me; blameless, but his words convict me. He does not care; so I say he murders both the pure and the wicked.”