Samson Agonistes

The character that once was Samson Agonistes,

"herotic renowned/, No strength of man, or fierest

Wild beast, could withstand:

Who tore the lion as the lion tears the kid;"

(Samson 125-127)

is no longer. Instead he is a prisoner of his enemies chained and blinded by them, deceived by his own wife. In this story we see how Samson, after such heretic activities, traces his steps back and speaks of his down fall. The chorus, his friends, console him encouraging him to speak about his life and try to bring him out of his darkness.

In this story Samson's speeches are harsh. There is a vindictive unreconcilled tone in the agony expressed by Samson over his blindness, his defeat and the treachery of his wife. Samson also sees the loss of his eyesight as the worst possible thing. He believes that light is the prime work of God and since light is so necessary to life he is living a half dead life. Samson considers death a privilege because he would be buried and relieved of all his pains and wrongs.

In the end, Samson shook the two massy pillars that gave the roof main support and with that the building fell and killed all those beneath.

Samson Agonistes is a dramatic Greek tragedy. It not only follows every characteristic of Greek drams but it embodies it. Most importantly Greek tragedies evolve from religions rituals. This story is based on the story of Samson as it is told from Judges chapter13-16. It begins after Samson has been captured and tortured by the Philistines.

Greek tragedy also stresses the sacrificial nature of human life and the inevitability of death. Tragedy is concerned with the pain of human existence and how the characters deal with the pain. It puts the characters against forces do large they seem to be invincible. (Greek tragedy & its Influences)

Greek drama also puts the individual against a part of themselves. It convinces us to admire the person who contributes to his to her own destruction. Greek drama focuses on the eternal question "How must one live in a world of suffering, how can one act freely in a world circumscribed by limitations of self and fate?"

Samson Agonistes more then expressed the sacrificial nature of human life and the inevitability of death. Samson was sent by God to relieve Israel but failed and inevitably died.

"Why was my breeding ordered and prescribed

As of a person separate to God

Designed for great exploits, if I must die..."

In Greek drama the play must have a serious theme; it should focus on a tragic hero. The hero must go through a situation that is good to one that is bad. They must experience a shift in circumstances that is dramatic. The hero must be of the highest position and must fall to one of the lowest. (Greek tragedy & its Influences) The hero must also be an essentially be a good person. They must be someone whose basic goodness leads the audience to question their seemingly disproportionate suffering. Even though the hero is good person, their suffering should not be presented as unfair, accidental or wrong. The Hero's downfall must be brought on by the individuals own actions. (Greek tragedy & its Influences)

In Greek drama the hero must be very human he must appeal to the audience, he must like ordinary people have flaws. The flaw that the hero has must be the reason for his downfall. It can be greed Ambition, jealously, anger or revenge. Often the hero in Greek plays tends to be an overwhelming egotistic or incredibly arrogant person. Greek people believed in gods they believed that persons would pay for their actions. A hero in a play would be severely punished for their acts of egotism and arrogance. (Greek tragedy & its Influences)

Samson Agonistes deals with a serious theme. It focuses on a tragic hero. Samson was once a man with great strength. He was sent by god to deliver his people out of the hands of the Philistines. Samson once killed an entire army with the bone of an animal. He was envied, and plotted against by his enemies, which unfortunately included his wife.

"Oh wherefore was my birth from heaven foretold

Twice by and angel,