Book 9 of “Paradise Lost” by John Milton is a turning point in the story, as it describes the fall of Adam and Eve from grace. Here is a brief summary of the book: Paradise Lost Book 9 by John Milton summary
The book begins with Satan returning to the Garden of Eden, where he observes Adam and Eve living in harmony with nature. He is jealous of their happiness and resolves to destroy it.
Satan takes the form of a serpent and approaches Eve, who is alone in the garden. He flatters her and convinces her to eat from the forbidden tree of knowledge. Eve is tempted by the serpent’s arguments and takes a bite of the fruit.
After eating the fruit, Eve becomes aware of her nakedness and covers herself with leaves. She then offers the fruit to Adam, who also eats it, knowing that he is disobeying God’s command.
Immediately, they feel shame and guilt, and they hide from God when he comes to visit them in the garden. When God confronts them about their disobedience, they try to shift the blame onto each other and onto the serpent.
God pronounces a curse on the serpent, on Eve, and on Adam. The serpent is condemned to crawl on its belly, Eve is condemned to pain in childbirth and to be subject to her husband, and Adam is condemned to toil and labor in the fields.
The book ends with Adam and Eve being banished from the Garden of Eden, and with God sending cherubim to guard the entrance and prevent them from returning.
