SAMSON AGONISTES

A Play Without a Middle?

I. Beginning: 1-114: Samson's lament

II. Agon: Greek for conflict (as in athletics) or debate (the verbal conflict of tragedy)

115-709: Samson discusses his situation with his own people, Chorus of Hebrews and Father Manoa.

709-1426: Samson discusses things with Philistines:

Dalila (wife), Harapha (rival warrior), Court Officer

III. Conclusion: 1427-1758: Samson kills his enemies---and himself

I. Samson's eloquent lament: what is its purpose?

1) Exposition (as in Greek tragedies)

2) the powerful poetry arouses sympathy for the suffering protagonist.

II. Samson and the Chorus and then Manoa: Samson repents his errors

1) His "shameful garrulity" (492) as "a blab" (496). He's revealed God's "holy secret" (498): is it a holy secret? Does God, according to the account in Judges, forbid Samson to reveal the secret of his strength? Is keeping secrets a common biblical theme? Was it a common theme in the literature of the Renaissance and/or the English Civil War?

2) Samson also repents the "voluptuous life" (534) that resulted in his being "effeminately vanquished" (539). Effeminacy now means a male being too much like a female. In Milton's time---or at least for Milton---it meant a male being too much attracted to women---especially for sex.

III. Samson and the Philistines: Samson revives---or does he?

1) Dalila ("Female of Sex it Seems" [711]): Samson refuses to forgive her. Threatens to tear her "joint by joint" (953). What does this indicate? Usually read as indicating Samson has learned to withstand "the strange power" of beauty. Does it?

2) Harapha: Samson's response to the braggart/bully: "My heels are fettered, but my fist is free" (1235). What does this indicate? Usually read as indicating that Samson is again ready to battle God's enemies ("how comely it is and how reviving . . . when God into the hands of their deliverer puts invincible might" [1279-83]). Does it?

3) The Court Officer: Why does Samson refuse to obey the officer's demand that he appear at the Philistine festival (1318-43)? Why does he change his mind (1381-89)?

IV. Conclusion: How does the play conclude?

1) Does this indicate the play is one of Samson's degeneration?

2) Why would, as Dr. Johnson commented, bigotry applaud the events? Did Milton intend for bigotry to applaud?