In his “Areopagitica”, John Milton states: “He who can apprehend and consider vice with all its seeming lures and pleasures, and yet abstain, and yet distinguish , and yet prefer him which is truly better, he is the true Christian warrior. I cannot praise a fugitive and cloistered virtue, unexercised and breathless, which never goes out and sees its adversary, but slips out of the race where that immortal garland must have run, not without dust and heat." To be a true and strong Christian, one must face temptation and reject it in favor of belief in God. Milton's belief is strengthened and exemplified in Book IX of Paradise Lost, as the characters in Paradise Lost represent different sides of Milton's claims. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The strengths and weaknesses of Milton's argument are best seen in the conversation between Adam and Eve. In Book IX, Eve suggests that Adam separate to accomplish more work in a shorter period of time. Responding to Eve's suggestion, Adam says: "The wife, where danger or dishonor lurks, / remains safer and more dignified with her husband, / he who guards her, or with her endures the worst." Adam's statement seems to counter Milton's belief in the importance of facing temptation, but he justifies his position by saying that he only wants to protect Eve. Adam believes that the couple can better fend off temptation together, thus ultimately maintaining their cloistered virtue. Eve takes Milton's side. He questions Adam's point of view, asking, "What is faith, love, and virtue untested by itself, without sustained external help?" . Eve informs Adam that faith must be tested. If faith remains unchallenged, the two will never grow stronger in their loyalty to God. Eve has self-confidence that her faith is strong enough to withstand any challenge. Eva also believes that God wants their faith to be tested. He will reward them for their persistent loyalty. Eve believes that if she and Adam overcome Satan's challenge, they will "double the honor gained by his false assumption, find inner peace, the favor of Heaven." Eve, in fact, does not fear Satan like Adam does. Paradise Lost clearly establishes that Adam and Eve are opposing sides of Milton's argument. Eve represents Milton's belief that challenges can actually strengthen one's faith; Adam personifies the position that challenges can be dangerous and avoiding them is in one's best interest. Ultimately, Eve's self-confidence proves to be her downfall (as well as humanity's downfall). She chooses to go out alone and gives in to Satan's temptations. Eve's fall conflicts with Milton's argument in "Areopagitica". Eve represents Milton's belief in the importance of testing one's faith, but if Eve had never left Adam, she and humanity would still be blessed in Heaven. Although Adam also ultimately falls, he was initially right in his preference to remain with Eve so that the two could be faithful together. Because it represents his belief, Eve's fall weakens Milton's argument. Milton would still consider Eve's actions admirable. He goes out to "see his opponent". Eve succumbed to temptation because she was weak and Satan “entered her heart too easily.” Because she had fallen, her faith wasn't as strong to begin with. Eve personifies Milton's concept of a “warrior Christian” who steps out and welcomes temptation; however, Eve lost the war with Satan. Even though Eva fell, Milton considered her more. 517-551.