semi-late post of revision MZ5

[Conque...@gmail.com]

I brought my essay to school on my iPod to print, but I forgot the
link cable. I tried to find one before the end of school, but no
luck. Just got home from appointment after school, here it is:

Michael Zvaleko
Samson Agonistes
Essay 3: The Grand Finale

Milton’s Samson Agonistes is a biblical story told in the form of a
Greek tragedy. This play follows Samson, a great hero, through his
time of imprisonment by the philistines. Milton’s work differs from
the efforts of many other writers, who wrote on religious topics, in
that it stays away from the traditional Judeo-Christian writing
style. Complex language, and the use of Greek style tragedy itself,
is ever present in this piece of literature. Milton makes use of
these types of literary devices to tell this story from Judaism in a
way that is accessible, with humanized characters. This humanization
in turn helps to portray the theme of faith and the will of god
being Although Samson Agonistes is a story from Judaism, it is not
exclusively non-Christian. Milton, with his strong background in
Christian theology, is telling this story from the Old Testament in
order to show the common backgrounds of Judaism and Christianity, and
emphasize the need for a religious faith. Taken in the light of a
religious piece, Samson Agonistes is both very eloquent and complex,
and effective as a portrayal of religion and the nature of faith.
Milton’s work is a multifaceted masterpiece of Judeo-Christian
literature.
Milton’s Samson Agonistes has the overriding form of a Greek
tragedy. In many ways it follows this conventions of this type of
literature, yet it deviates in ways that help to accentuate the
theme. According to Aristotle, a defining characteristic of a tragedy
is the tragic hero, someone of noble background (a person who simply
acts in a noble way), meeting a fall due to a flaw. The character
must fall due to a miscalculation of sorts, not vise or some directly
negative quality. In Samson Agonistes, Samson is found in his
predicament due to a mistake he made regarding his relationship with
Delilah –This matches up with Aristotle’s definition of tragedy.
Samson describes himself, while imprisoned, as being “excluded all
friendship, avoided as a blab.” This mistake, however, takes place
before the timeline of the play, which dramatically shifts the focus
of Milton’s work. As the play opens, Samson is described as being
“sent into the common prisons, there to grind.” He was reduced from
his heroic state to one of menial labor. Instead of focusing on this
mistake, however, the entirety of the play is centered on the
aftermath of this tragic flaw, and Samson’s redemption. This helps to
portray theme regarding God’s path, and the need to follow it (as it
leads to redemption).
Samson Agonistes follows other conventions of the Greek tragedy,
which help to humanize this biblical story. According to Brown and
his work, much of tragedy is centered on connecting with the audience,
and evoking certain feelings. Manoa, Samson’s father, speaks about
religious beliefs, saying “Yet more there be who doubt his ways not
just… Till by thir own perplexities involv'd
they ravel more, still less resolv'd” Essentially, Milton is saying
(through Manoa) that straying from god’s path, and doubting gods ways,
leads only to discontent. This contrasts with the theme of the play,
accentuating the idea that staying true to faith leads to redemption.
By using language that would be uncommon in a traditional religious
piece, the ideas presented in this dramatization are portrayed in a
clearer light.
In addition to his general use of the style of Greek tragedy to tell
the religious story of Samson, Milton made use of many other literary
techniques to portray the plays theme. These less prominent non-Judeo-
Christian devices add up to create this very powerful religious
statement. By humanizing the characters of the play through these
methods, the personal aspect of theology is demonstrated. Milton’s
use of words is very much meant to develop the more emotional aspects
of the story of Samson.
A large amount of Milton’s writing deals with Samson’s growth,
realization of his flaws, and eventual redemption. In conversation
with Delilah, she attempts to win him back using an argument aimed at
his ignorance, saying “I to enemies revealed, and should not.” She
attempts to convince him to trust her in much the same way as when she
caused his initial downfall. Later in the play, Samson is able to
clearly see through her guise, showing his develop as a character, and
his progress on the righteous and godly path. He says she is “Not
truly penitent, but chief to try.” This contrast between how he was
before the story – when he was overcome by his tragic flaw – and his
growth and clarity of thought after his downfall is a great example
why following the path of god, and not allowing one’s self to question
its will, is important. These instances help to show the nature of
Samson and his justification in realignment with the path of the
faithful.
The opinions of the characters in this tragedy are reflected through
Milton’s strong use of literary style. Manoa describes the
philistines, those who have imprisoned Samson, as being “Regorg'd of
Bulls and Goats, Chaunting thir Idol” This caricature of Samson’s
enemies emphasizes his opposition. In the end, this emphasis
accentuates the magnitude of Samson’s final heroic act, the final step
in his redemption. This small detail, in conjunction with many
others, is what gives the story of Samson Agonistes such weight.
Speaking of Samson and this final act of heroism, Manoa says “Yet Hope
would fain subscribe, and tempts Belief.” He is using personification
to show the emotions of Manoa regarding the chance that his son
survived the ordeal. This type of literary usage gives life to
Milton’s biblical characters, showing the humanity in faith. This
ties in to Milton’s strong Christian background, as well as the
overriding theme of the tragedy.
Samson is the centerpiece of this story, and Milton takes particular
care in developing him as very accessible and human in emotion.
Samson, while arguing with Delilah, shows his anger by using an
argument of force, argumentum ad baculum. He says “Not for thy life,
lest fierce remembrance wake
my sudden rage to tear thee joint by joint” This outburst of anger
fits in with the reaction that a normal person would have when
confronted by this situation. By giving Samson this type of
personality, the reader is able to further identify with the
character, and in turn see the very basic nature of religion. Again,
when talking to a Philistine warrior, Samson says “Which I to be the
power of Israel's God Avow, and challenge Dagon to the test, Offering
to combat thee his Champion bold” Even in his state of misery, Samson
shows a rebellious nature. Just as his interaction with Delilah
served to convey Samson’s humanity, this too shows how he is a person,
however powerful or godly, with very real emotions and thoughts. The
entire work makes a point of this humanization, and it is extremely
important in giving the theme strength and the tragedy a uniquely
powerful feel.
Milton’s Samson Agonistes uses a complex combination of literary
devices and writing style to elevate the story of Samson to one of
very real humans and emotions. Milton does a beautiful job delivering
the message of the need for faith, and the redemption that it brings.
It is important to note that the story of Samson is from the Jewish
religion, yet it is still pertains to Milton’s idea of Christianity.
By discussing this story, Milton shows the essence of the Christian
faith, and sheds light on its foundation. This story is not mutually
exclusive – it has a place in both Judaism and Christianity. Samson
Agonistes is, in its genre, a literary masterpiece.

[AM4]

AM4
Andrew Mori
11-1-08
Period 4

Samson Agonistes

Milton’s “Samson Agonistes” is a Greek drama about the fallen hero,
Samson. The main theme of “Samson Agonistes” is impermanence and
acknowledging ones faults. Milton’s attempt at composing a Greek
tragedy is one with great intensions, but has a flawed outcome.
Milton adopts the style of a Greek tragedy to portray the Biblical
character, Samson. Milton uses a chorus in his play and drifts away
from the Biblical side of Samson to make the play more like a Greek
tragedy. Milton’s choice of taking the story of Samson, which comes
from Judism, is because the New Testament contains stories from the
the Old Testament. The purpose Milton wrote “Samson Agonistes” was
because he wanted to justify the ways of God to man.
In the beginning of “Samson Agonistes” the protagonist, Samson, cries
and pities himself because of the position he is in. Samson begins to
blame God for his troubles as he did good for the Jews and doesn’t
understand why he is being punished. Samson’s belief that God is at
fault, is his tragic flaw, or his hamartia. According to Aristotle,
the hamartia is the hero’s tragic flaw. Samson comes to realize he
must not blame God, but look at himself and acknowledge his
ignorance. He receives help from the chorus who help to shine light
onto Samson. In this quote, “Presume not on thy God, what e’re the
be,” is an example of the chorus explaining to Samson to look beyond
God, as God is not at fault. The addition of a chorus gives advice to
Samson to reform himself and is an example of one of the literary
aesthetics Milton uses to make the play less Judeo Christian. The
chorus is a common necessity in any Greek tragedy. The chorus helps
to give advice to the hero, “Tax not divine disposal wisest Men have
err’d and by bad women been deceiv’d,” (Line 210) is the chorus
explaining to Samson that he is not the only one to fall into a
woman’s deadly trap. Samson falling for Deliah’s seductiveness
relates to how everyone has free will according to the Bible. Samson
is give choices and a second chance at life as did Satan gets another
chance. The chorus influences Samson into changing his outlook on
life, after feeling worthless and dishonored.
Once Samson is freed he has a new outlook on life and no longer
blames God for his problems. This co-insides with the heroin Greek
tragedies discovering his or her flaw, but unfortunately it is too
late. However, in “Samson Agonistes,” Samson understands his flaw and
does good by destroying the temple to save the Jews, but in the
process dies as well. Quote 4 states, “As to his own edicts, found
contradicting,” describes how Samson found his statements were false
and it was him being naive that eventually led to his capturing.
Samson’s act of good towards the end of the play is what sets
traditional Greek tragedies apart from Milton’s attempt to turn the
story of Samson into a greek tragedy. Aristotles definition of a
tragedy is that it is “presented in dramatic form...through the
representation of pitiable and fearful incidents.” Although the play
makes the read feel sympathetic towards Samson because he is blind and
a slave, Samson also experiences moments of compassion where he
destroys the temple. Samson must understand and not judge why God has
put him in the position he is in. It may be that God has more in
store for Samson to obtain.
The play begins with Samson feeling down on himself because he was
such a fool to tell his wife his secret to his unhuman strength. In
the quote, “more strength from me, then in thy self was found,” is
Samson putting himself down for being so naive. He says he may have
had physical strength, but in the end he lacked mental strength. The
quote describes Samson’s view on life before he begins to understand
why he is in the position he is in now. In the same quote, Samson
says, “Nor shouldst thou have trusted that to womans frailty,” to
express it was his fault for being captured. Samson says it was Delia
who tricked him and he was a fool to fall into her trap. Samson takes
all the blame for his capturing by sayings, “Shameful garrulity. To
have reveal’d secrets of men,” (Line 490) is Samson acknowledging his
error. The error was telling Delia the secret to his strength.
Samson’s father, Manoa, influences him to get up and quit crying
about the past. In the quote, “They only set on sport and
play.....destruction to come speedy upon them,” expresses that one
must understand life isn’t all about things the give you pleasure, and
that those who believe that are doomed. When Samson had his powers he
believe no one could stop him and believe he was a higher being than
the rest. These ideals led him to being captured. In the quote,
“Then more cautious and instructed skill,” represents the fact that
one must learn from their mistakes and the knowledge gathered must be
used to move on. Samson in the beginning blames God and doesn’t
understand why he is being punished even though he saved the Jews.
Samson discovers that he was ignorant to trust Delia. Samson says,
“To honour and religion! servil mind rewarded well with servil
punishment,” (Line 412) is an example of Samson understanding his
faults, but yet he still repents about the past. Him pitying himself
makes it so that he can not accept the conditions he faces, and is
able to conquer this mental factor when he finally lets go.
Later on in the play Samson has a change in vision and understanding
of why he was put in the position he is in. The chorus in this quote,
“it is not vertue, wisdom, valour.... or amplest merti,” describes how
those specific characteristics did not play a huge role in Samson’s
downfall. Later on in the quote, “in one day or seven, though one
should musing sit,” expresses the belief that one should not dwell on
his or her faults. Wasting days repenting is pointless because the
past can not be undone, while the future and present are all that
remains. Samsons hair represents impermanence as a symbol of his
strength. His strength can not last forever and God can’t be blamed
for the him being blind and enslaved. Samson had been give a second
chance and he blew it by revealing his secret to Deliah and thus he
was captured. Milton focus’ on “free will” and Samson chooses to do
something with his life instead of remain captive under the
Philistines. Once again Samson is given another chance to redeem
himself.
Miltons “Samson Agonistes” is meant to convey the message of
impermanence as well as repenting over past event does nothing.
Milton’s attempt at creating a Greek tragedy has great promise, but
lacks the true characteristics of a Greek tragedy. Milton none the
less does an accurate portrayal of incorporating the story of Samson
into a Greek tragedy. He is able to clearly express his reason for
choosing the story of Samson and converting it into a a play.
Although the story of Samson is from the Old Testament, the central
themes of Christianity are found in “Samson Agonistes” as well as in
the New Testament. Milton explores the themes of free will and
justifying the ways of God to man which is present in “Paradise Lost”
as well.

On Nov 14, 6:20 pm, "Conquerer...@gmail.com" <Conquerer...@gmail.com>
wrote: