Adventures with Students, Vol. 36

When teaching Paradise Lost, I always emphasize the portion in Book 4 where Adam and Eve are both presented to us in all their naked glory:

Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall,

God-like erect, with native honour clad

In naked majesty, seem'd lords of all,

And worthy seem'd; for in their looks divine

The image of their glorious Maker shone,

Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure—

Severe, but in true filial freedom plac'd,

Whence true authority in men: though both

Not equal, as their sex not equal seem'd;

For contemplation he and valour form'd,

For softness she and sweet attractive grace;

He for God only, she for God in him.

His fair, large front and eye sublime declar'd

Absolute rule, and hyacinthine locks

Round from his parted forelock manly hung

Clust'ring, but not beneath his shoulders broad;

She, as a veil down to the slender waist,

Her unadorned golden tresses wore

Dishevell'd, but in wanton ringlets wav'd

As the vine curls her tendrils—which implied

Subjection, but requir'd with gentle sway,

And by her yielded, by him best receiv'd,

Yielded with coy submission, modest pride,

And sweet, reluctant, amorous delay. 

I emphasize several things in this passage, among them the connection Milton makes between Eve's hair and her alluring sexuality.  I point out that a woman's hair, particularly when it's long and tousled, is highly erotic.  I know I'm on pretty solid ground in saying that, but I say it with a bit of caution because most of my students don't like to talk about eroticism in class.

 

The complicating factor yesterday was that in one of my classes, there's a young woman (a soccer player) with long, tousled, lovely hair.  She sits on the front row.  

 

I made sure I didn't look at her!