Now you all know the story of Adam and Eve…the first humans on Earth…The creators of sin. But were they really the first humans on Earth? Or was there someone before Eve…maybe a previous wife for Adam? Something you may not have heard of is the concept of Lilith. In pre-Raphaelite times, the notion of Lilith was interpreted in many different ways. She could be interpreted as an evil, seductive and sexual creature much like a villain or a strong determined woman which was filled with beauty and love. Not only is this concept of Lilith featured in Eden Bower by Dante Gabriel Rossetti published in 1868 but it is also explored in many other pre-Raphaelite texts.
In Rossetti’s concept of Lilith ...view middle of the document...
There is a distinct difference between these two scenarios which may fore-shadow some sort of conflict in the Garden of Eden.
Rossetti’s use of Nature weaved into a supernatural idea demonstrates a characteristic of the Pre Raphaelites. The extreme quantity of detail in relation to nature also allows the responder to gain some understanding of what this differing perception of Eden is. The vivid use of descriptive detail when Eve is clinging to Adam presents an image of supernatural themes, “driven forth as the beasts of his naming by the sword that is forever flaming”. There is also a large use and emphasis on spiritual and religious objects and it somewhat has a narrative structure. Through the repetition of words such as God, Lord and Garden of Eden we can view these spiritual and religious connotations however there is also repetition of words such as lips and breasts which pull away from the emphasis of religion and the traditional pre-Raphaelite techniques.
There are two constantly repeated lines that are utilized within the poem. In every 2nd...