Milton's first criticism of idolatry focused on the constructing of temples and other buildings to serve as places of worship. In Book XI of Paradise Lost, Adam tries to atone for his sins by offering to build altars to worship God. In response, the angel Michael explains that Adam does not need to build physical objects to experience the presence of God., Book 11. Joseph Lyle points to this example, explaining: "When Milton objects to architecture, it is not a quality inherent in buildings themselves he finds offensive, but rather their tendency to act as convenient loci to which idolatry, over time, will inevitably adhere.". Even if the idea is pure in nature, Milton thought it would unavoidably lead to idolatry simply because of the nature of humans. That is, instead of directing their thoughts towards God, humans will turn to erected objects and falsely invest their faith there. While Adam attempts to build an altar to God, critics note Eve is similarly guilty of idolatry, but in a different manner. Harding believes Eve's narcissism and obsession with herself constitutes idolatry.. Specifically, Harding claims that "under the serpent's influence, Eve's idolatry and self-deification foreshadow the errors into which her 'Sons' will stray". Much like Adam, Eve falsely places her faith in herself, the Tree of Knowledge, and to some extent the Serpent, all of which do not compare to the ideal nature of God.
milton's first criticism of idolatry focused on the constructing of temples and other buildings to serve as places of worship in book xi of paradise lost adam tries to atone for his sins by offering to build altars to worship god in response the angel michael explains that adam does not need to build physical objects to experience the presence of god book 11 joseph lyle points to this example explaining "when milton objects to architecture it is not a quality inherent in buildings themselves he finds offensive but rather their tendency to act as convenient loci to which idolatry over time will inevitably adhere" even if the idea is pure in nature milton thought it would unavoidably lead to idolatry simply because of the nature of humans that is instead of directing their thoughts towards god humans will turn to erected objects and falsely invest their faith there while adam attempts to build an altar to god critics note eve is similarly guilty of idolatry but in a different manner harding believes eve's narcissism and obsession with herself constitutes idolatry specifically harding claims that "under the serpent's influence eve's idolatry and self-deification foreshadow the errors into which her 'sons' will stray" much like adam eve falsely places her faith in herself the tree of knowledge and to some extent the serpent all of which do not compare to the ideal nature of god