Eve

Also known as: Female / Mother of Mankind / Woman / fair Eve / first matron Eve / our general mother / our mother · Family: mankind · Role: mother of mankind · First appears: Book 1

On the sixth day, God created Eve as Adam’s consort and placed them in Eden, forbidding them to eat from the tree of knowledge. Eve was formed from Adam’s rib, and they became husband and wife. In Book IV, Satan overheard the prohibition and planned to turn it against them; Eve served Raphael a meal when he visited, while she and Adam shared their daily worship of God, their creator and parent.

In Book IX, the Serpent deceived Eve, who ate the forbidden fruit and offered it to Adam. He ate knowingly, and together they lost their innocence, covered themselves with fig leaves, and fell into anger and discord. In Book X, Jesus judged them, delayed their immediate death, and clothed them; Eve and Adam confessed their faults and begged God’s pardon. In Book XI, God decreed their expulsion, and in Book XII Michael led them through Eden’s eastern gate.