Overestimating and Underestimating

The fall of man could have been avoided in a variety of ways. However, it’s important to examine how this idea of overestimating and underestimating is intertwined throughout the corruption and downfall. Adam overestimates Eve’s obedience while Eve underestimates the forces of temptation. If Adam were to take the time to discuss and further explain the importance of Raphael’s story, perhaps Eve would have been a little less trusting and more cautious. Instead, he really doesn’t discuss what Raphael tells him because he thinks Eve knows better than to disobey God. In addition, although Eve knows what is right and wrong, she underestimates Satan and his manipulative ways. In the end, not only is she responsible for the downfall and corruption of Adam, but she is also depicted as a weak woman who cares more about superficial things than anything else. To further emphasize this, the second she realizes what she has done, instead of repenting, she immediately looks for Adam so he can eat the apple and be fallen just like her. Once again, both of them underestimate the powers of Satan and overestimate their free will to make the right choices.

In a similar fashion, God overestimates Adam and Eve’s loyalty and obedience. He created Adam and then Eve in the hope that they would be obedient and start mankind. However, he is sadly mistaken when they bring about the fall and tarnish all things after. Similarly, Satan underestimates God and the Son. He feels victorious when he tempts Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, however he doesn’t realize that back in Pandemonium, all of the fallen angels and little devils have been turned into snakes. In addition, they are constantly tormented by beautiful trees with ripe fruit that turns into ash when they attempt to eat it (connects back to Tree of Knowledge).

Finally, one of the greatest examples of overestimating in the poem is the knowledge Adam and Eve believe they will obtain when eating from the Tree of Knowledge. They think they will become god-like creatures but ironically, the only knowledge gained is the good that they had and that is now lost. Here, they also underestimate the power of God and all that he’s given them. They desire to be more and as a result they become less and lose everything.