Paradise Lost by John Milton (Book 9 Summary)

Paradise Lost

by John Milton

(Book 9 Summary)

In the ninth part of Paradise Lost, John Milton tells us more about how Satan gets even worse and is determined to trick Adam and Eve. The section begins with a focus on Satan, who had been absent while Raphael was telling Adam about human history. Now, Satan is really unhappy with himself, feeling guilty for rebelling against God.

Even though Satan is in a bad state, he decides to stick to his plan to mess up humankind. He turns into a sneaky serpent and sneaks into the Garden of Eden. There, he watches Adam and Eve, noticing how innocent and happy they are. He knows that making them mess up will hurt God a lot, and he's dead set on making it happen.

While Satan is making his evil plan, Adam and Eve wake up and start their day with prayers to God. They have no clue about the danger close by. Eve, feeling independent, suggests that she and Adam work separately. Adam agrees, and they go their own ways for the day.

Satan sees his chance and goes up to Eve. He sweet-talks her, playing on her desire for knowledge and feeling better than other creatures. He tempts her with the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, saying it will make her as powerful as God.

Eve, lured by Satan's words and the forbidden fruit, picks an apple and eats it. Then, she offers it to Adam, who, after hesitating, takes a bite too.

As soon as they eat the fruit, Adam and Eve realize they're naked and feel ashamed. They understand the seriousness of their mistake and what's going to happen because of it.

The natural world reacts to their mess-up—skies get dark, animals get restless, and the once-perfect garden starts to decay. Adam and Eve, now knowing they're mortal and not connected to God anymore, feel really sad.

The ninth book ends with Adam and Eve realizing the consequences of their sin. Their fall from God's favor changes everything—how they relate to each other, to God, and to the world around them.

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-Paradise Lost by John Milton (Book 3 Summary)