Samson Agonistes Essay Example
Samson Agonistes Essay Example

Samson Agonistes Essay Example

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Early In the poem, the Chorus reveals to the reader that Samson is indeed great, UT blinded both physically and metaphorically.

Milton writes, Thou art become (O worst Imprisonment! ). The dungeon of thyself thy Souls(WhIch Men enjoying sight oft without cause complain)Dolphin's now Indeed (Milton, 155-158). " Christian tragedies often depict protagonists overcoming themselves rather than defeating god(s) before they can be great'. Samson is blatantly a strong person as his power comes through his hair, but once it is cut off he loses his powers and is rendered hopeless.

Samson must soon learn that he must overcome his own sufferings to understand that he needs to be great, which is a central theme in a Christian Samson faces two main hardships, one being of his strong hate for his captors and betrayers and

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the other being his personal anger at God for letting him be imprisoned.

In order for Samson to reconcile with his life once and for all, he must come to terms with finding serenity in suffering. Milton writes, "Her Bond-slave; O Indignity, O blotto Honor and Religion! Server unlaundered well with Server punishment! (Milton,407-41 3)".

Samson confesses how he lost his powers because of is desire for Dali, and because of this God betrays him with severe punishment. We clearly see the main source of Samson' frustrations, as he feels deceived by not only Dali but by God as well. Furthermore, Samson dwells within his own pity and disgrace, because of this Samson falls deeper into a cycle of constant suffering and despair. Suffering is a major theme expressed within the poem, but more specifically within Samson himself.

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writes, "Deject not so overmuch thy self,;Who hast of sorrow thy full load besides (Milton, 213).

We understand from the quote that Samson is in a repeating circle that he alone is putting himself through which further creates suffering within him, because of this he torments himself In multiple ways. Samson wants to be a leader but constantly stays separate from everyone and continuously keeps violating what he Is truly supposed to be. Towards the end of the poem, we see Samson in-between the middle of two large to see that Samson realizes who he is finally becoming.

Samson also towards the end starts to realize that he must face the consequences of his actions.

We see this exemplified when Milton writes, "This day will be remarkable in my life by some great act, or of my days the last (Milton, 1388-1389). " Samson compares death with greatness in this particular scene and realizes that going out in a blaze would be the most courageous and powerful way to die great. As stated above, Christian tragedies portray the protagonist fighting against their inner selves, whereas Greek tragedies portray the protagonist fighting god(s), which is something that Samson clearly does tot do towards the end of the poem.

In the epic last scene of the poem, we see Samson destroy not only the great, giant building lifting up the Philistine lords, but Samson also kills myself.

We are then met by the chorus who continue to tell us that Samson final destiny has been fulfilled by killing even more Philistines than he has when he was alive, but sadly it came at the cost of his

own life. Furthermore, the Semi Chorus tells us how even though his 'light' was gone physically because he was blind, he found the inner light he needed to come powerful and strong once again to fulfill his ultimate destiny.

In the end we finally see Samson find the inner strength he needed to become great once again by overcoming his passions and desires. While Samson faced many hardships throughout the poem, he still rose on top by fighting his feelings and dying courageously rather than the coward he once was.

As we can see, as exemplified throughout various examples, Samson Agonies is undoubtedly a work of Christian tragedies, rather than that of a Greek tragedy.

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