Paradise Lost

Adam, inspired by Raphael’s story, asks more questions about how the Earth and the sky work. Eve leaves the discussion to tend to the garden, and Raphael answers some but not all of Adam’s questions. He reminds Adam to respect the boundaries of humankind and not seek more knowledge than he should. Adam respectfully agrees and proposes to tell his own story of his creation. Raphael had missed Adam’s creation because he was checking on the gates of Hell for God, so he is happy to hear Adam’s story.

Adam recounts waking up in the sunlight and exploring the world around him. Remarkably, he seemed to intuitively know all the names of the things around him. God visited Adam in a vision and told him that his purpose is to rule over Eden, and that his only rule is to not eat from the Tree of Knowledge. All the animals Adam encountered came in pairs, and Adam asked for a companion of his own. While he slept, God created Eve from Adam’s rib, and Adam fell in love with Eve’s beauty.