The Corruption Of Women In The Book I

Women are significantly absent within Book I of paradise lost, not only not appearing but also not mentioned by any of the other characters. It could be argued that this makes the appearance of sin in the second book all the more powerful. Sin is the personification of an abstract concept which is presumed to be inherently evil. Yet the portrayal of Sin is arguably more as the innocent victim than the sinister predator.
Sin was a ‘victim’ first of Satan’s own corruption which created her, then of his sexual desires which caused her rape and impregnation. Although God would seem to have given Sin power in the assignment of her to guard the gate however, as with Eve she could be seen as being there simply to resist the temptation of Satan,