Samson Agonistes by John Milton
"Samson Agonistes" is a dramatic poem by John Milton that explores the themes of strength, betrayal, and redemption through the character of Samson, a figure from the Bible. Set during a Philistine festival, the story begins with Samson, who is imprisoned and blinded, reflecting on his downfall and lamenting his lost strength. Despite his physical prowess returning with the growth of his hair, he grapples with feelings of hopelessness and self-blame for trusting in his might without wisdom.
The poem features a chorus of Hebrew elders who recall Samson's glorious past and the current subjugation of their people. Interactions with family, particularly his father Manoa, reveal the emotional depth of Samson's plight as he struggles with the shame of his situation and the dishonor brought to God. As the narrative progresses, Samson confronts his past, including his betrayal by Dalila, and begins to regain his spiritual strength. The climax builds towards a moment of tragic heroism, culminating in a final act of defiance against his oppressors, where Samson pulls down the temple upon himself and thousands of Philistines, thus reclaiming his identity as God's champion. This complex portrayal examines the intersections of personal failure, divine purpose, and the quest for dignity in suffering.
Samson Agonistes by John Milton
First published: 1671
Type of work: Poetry
Type of plot: Tragedy
Time of plot: ca. 1100 BCE
Locale: Palestine
Principal Characters
Samson , a Hebrew champion, one of the JudgesManoa , his fatherDalila , a Philistine woman, Samson’s wifeHarapha , a Philistine giantChorus of Hebrew Elders ,
The Poem
Samson, eyeless in Gaza, is given a holiday from his labors during the season of a Philistine religious festival. He sits alone before the prison, lamenting his fallen state. His hair grows long again and his physical strength returns, but to him life seems hopeless. He wonders why God chose him, who seems destined to live out his days as a miserable, blinded wretch, but he nevertheless blames his misfortunes on himself. He should not have trusted in his strength without also seeing to it that he gained the wisdom to protect himself from the wiles of Philistine women. He mourns also the blindness that makes him live a life only half alive.
A chorus of Hebrew elders joins him. They recall his past great deeds and speak of the present state of Israel, which is subject to Philistine rule. Samson accuses his people of loving bondage more than liberty because they refused to take advantage of the victories he won for them in the days of his strength. Manoa, Samson’s aged father, also comes to see his son, whose fate gives him great distress. He brings news that plunges Samson still deeper into his depression: a Philistine feast is being held to thank the idol Dagon for delivering the mighty Hebrew into the hands of his enemies. Samson realizes then the dishonor he brought to God, yet he is able to find hope in the thought that the contest now is between Jehovah and Dagon. He foresees no good for himself, cast off by God, and he prays only for speedy death.
As the chorus muses over God’s treatment of his chosen ones, Dalila approaches. When she offers Samson help as recompense for her betrayal of him, he scorns her. She tries to excuse herself, pleading weakness and patriotism, but Samson refuses to compound his sins by yielding to her again; he is regaining spiritual as well as physical might. He again accepts his position as God’s champion when Harapha, a Philistine giant, comes to gloat over his misfortune. It is too bad that Samson is now so weak, says Harapha; had he met Samson sooner, he would have won great honor by defeating him. Harapha cannot defile himself by combat with a slave. Samson, enraged, invites Harapha to come within his reach. The giant refuses to accept the challenge, however, saying that such a contest would be beneath his dignity, and leaves.
When a public officer comes to summon Samson to the feast, the blind man refuses to go. His presence there would violate Hebrew law, and he has no desire to have the Philistine mob make sport of his blindness. As Samson tells the chorus why he will not go, however, he feels a sudden inner compulsion to follow the messenger. He senses that the day will mark some remarkable deed in his life. When the officer brings a second, more imperative summons, Samson accompanies him.
Manoa, returning with the news that he was able to persuade the Philistine lords to ransom his son, gladly plans to sacrifice his patrimony and spend his old age caring for Samson. As he is speaking of his hopes that Samson will recover his sight, horrible shouting breaks out in the temple. A Hebrew messenger, fleeing the awful spectacle, tells Manoa and the chorus that he just saw Samson pull the temple down upon himself and thousands of Philistines. Manoa decides that Samson conducted himself like Samson and heroically ended a heroic life.
Bibliography
Bond, Christopher. Spenser, Milton, and the Redemption of the Epic Hero. Lanham: Rowman, 2011. Print.
Campbell, Gordon, and Thomas N. Corns. John Milton: Life, Work, and Thought. New York: Oxford UP, 2008. Print.
Crump, Galbraith M., ed. Twentieth Century Interpretations of Samson Agonistes. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1968. Print.
Duran, Angelica, ed. A Concise Companion to Milton. Malden: Blackwell, 2007. Print.
Hanford, James Holly, and James G. Taaffe. A Milton Handbook. 5th ed. East Norwalk: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1970. Print.
Herman, Peter C., and Elizabeth Sauer. The New Milton Criticism. New York: Cambridge UP, 2012. Print.
Hunter, William B., ed. Milton’s English Poetry. Cranbury: Bucknell UP, 1986. Print.
Kelley, Mark R., and Joseph Wittreich, eds. Altering Eyes: New Perspectives on Samson Agonistes. Newark: U of Delaware P, 2002. Print.
Low, Anthony. The Blaze of Noon: A Reading of Samson Agonistes. Ithaca: Columbia UP, 1974. Print.
Mayer, Joseph G. Between Two Pillars: The Hero’s Plight in Samson Agonistes and Paradise Regained. Lanham : UP of Amer., 2004. Print.
Shore, Daniel. Milton and the Art of Rhetoric. New York: Cambridge UP, 2012. Print.
Wittreich, Joseph. Interpreting Samson Agonistes. Princeton: Princeton UP, 1986. Print.