It’s quite relaxing to get back to the really important questions, like “did Adam and Eve have sex before the fall?” Milton’s answer is eloquent and to the point:
Which God likes best, into thir inmost bowerAdam and Eve retire side by side, and Milton assumes [I weene] that only a hypocrite would think that they don’t have sex. Who would prohibit sex, except someone who wanted humanity to fail, like Satan? That’s a no-brainer. Puritans like Milton get a bad rap sometimes; Milton at least argued for less restraint of sensuality. I really like the idea of clothes as "troublesome disguises" and of sex in the garden of Eden. OF COURSE Adam and Eve had sex before the fall!
Handed, they went; and eas’d the putting off
These troublesome disguises which wee wear,
Strait side by side were laid, nor turnd I weene
Adam from his fair Spouse, nor Eve the Rites
Mysterious of connubial Love refus’d:
Whatever Hypocrites austerely talk
Of puratie and place and innocence,
Defaming as impure what God declares
Pure, and commands to som, leaves free to all.
Our Maker bids increase, who bids abstain
But our destroyer, foe to God and Man?
I really love this stuff! I’d go insane if I didn’t have at least one literature class to look forward to.
