Samson
Agonists
Introduction of the Poet
John Milton is regarded as one of the
most famous poets of English Literature. His masterpiece Paradise Lost,
Paradise Regained, Samson Agonists earned him fame and honour. His individual
style has a touch of sublimity and majesty which is quite appropriate to his
noble and powerful ideas.
Introduction of the Poem
Samson Agonists is an adaptation of
the Greek drama form in blank verse, which recounts the tragedy of Samson in
his blindness beset by enemies. This hero performed the decisive role in
crushing the philistines who were the deadly enemies of his race. Samson, too
got killed in that disaster but his heroic act saved his tribesman from the
deadly enemy. By virtue of his glorious deed, his named earned eternity. It is
rightly said:
“Those who die for their nation live for ever.”
Summary
Once the Philistines arranged a grand
feast in a temple. The huge gathering included gentry from all parts of the
country. A prisoner, Samson, was brought to display his immense strength and
stamina through different stunts. Though he was blind, but performed very well
and the leaders enjoyed it. After performing for some time, he feel exhausted
and wished to be taken between the pillars for rest. He placed his arms on the
pillars and stood with his head inclined as if he was lost in some profound
thoughts or was busy in prayer. The foundation of great temple rested onto
these two pillars. Ultimately he addressed the gathering and informed them that
his final performance would be according to his own will and it would leave
them amazed and fascinated.
After the speech, Samson started to
exert all his force and energy onto these massy pillars. The way he was jerking
the pillars, it seemed as if the forces of nature had also come to his
assistance and were enclosed in his body. Eventually, he was able to remove the
pillars from their place and the whole roof collapsed with a loud rumble and
explosion. All the people assemble there were buried alive under the pillars.
Samson was unable to save himself from the claws of death and was also buried
with them, but remained alive among the hearts of his people. In this way, he
set an example of great sacrifice by giving up his life but eliminating his
rivals.
Reference to
the Context
Reference
The lines given for explanation are
an extract from Samson Agonists written by John Milton.
About the Poet
John Milton is regarded as one of the
most famous poets of English Literature. His masterpiece Paradise Lost, Paradise
Regained, Samson Agonists earned him fame and honour. His individual style has
a touch of sublimity and majesty which is quite appropriate to his noble and
powerful ideas.
About the Poem
Samson Agonists is an adaptation of
the Greek drama form in blank verse, which recounts the tragedy of Samson in
his blindness beset by enemies. This hero performed the decisive role in
crushing the philistines who were the deadly enemies of his race. Samson, too
got killed in that disaster but his heroic act saved his tribesman from the
deadly enemy. By virtue of his glorious deed, his named earned eternity. It is
rightly said:
“Those who die for their nation live for ever.”
Lines
He patient, but undaunted, where they led him———None daring to appear
antagonist.
Explanation
The poet tells us in these lines how
Samson was brought in the assembly hall as the enemy had blinded him. A guide
led him to the hall. He walked patiently but heartlessly to the place where the
guide led him. Then he was called upon to show the feats of skill. He performed
could be done by a blind man. He heaved, pulled, drew and broke things with
great strength and none have the courage to find faults with him. He performed
everything in such a wonderful way that every body praised him for his
unbelievable strength. His demonstrations were simply unbelievable. Nobody
dared to appear as his challenger in similar feats of strength.
Lines
At length for intermission sake they led him ———-That to the arched
roof gave main support
Explanation
Here we are told how Samson reached
near the big pillars. At last the show was over and the interval was announced.
Samson was led by his guide to the pillars in order to give him some recess.
Now as the people who stood near him heard Samson requested his guide to let
him stand against the strong pillars with the both his hands on them. He told
his guide that he wanted to do so simply because he wanted to have some rest.
These pillars give a support to the arched roof where the nobility of
Philistine was sitting.
Lines
He unsuspicious led him; which when Samson———–Or some great matter in
his mind revolved
Explanation
In these lines we are told that the
guide did not feel that there was anything wrong in. So, the guide accepted his
request and let him rest against the pillars. Now Samson felt the pillars in
his arms for Philistines had blinded him. Then he stood silent for some time,
with his head bowed and his eyes fixed on the ground. He behaved as if he was
going to offer his prayer, or wanted to reach a final decision on some matter
on some matter of great importance. It appeared as if some important matter was
revolving in his mind for he is standing seriously with his head bowed and eyes
on the ground.
Lines
At last, with head erect thus cried aloud——–As with amaze shall strike
all who behold.’
Explanation
The poet tells us in these lines how
Samson, addressed the people gathered there. He raised his head and in a loud
voice he told them that till now he had obeyed them most obediently, showed
some feats of strength and had never disobeyed their commands. Now he said, he
wanted to show them some feats of strength of his own accord. These things
would amaze all the holder and every body would be amazed who saw it. Actually
Samson wanted to take them unawares. Therefore, he told them in a friendly way
that he was going to show them some more wonderful feats of strength.
Lines
This uttered, straining all his nerves, he bowed ——– Upon the heads of
all who sat beneath,
Explanation
In these lines we are told how Samson
pulled down the pillars upon the heads of his enemies. Samson applied his force
to the pillars, which trembled just as mountains do against the fury of winds
and water. He shook them in opposite directions, till the roof came down with a
thundering noise. Thus, all those lords and captains who sat under the roof
were crushed to death. Of course Samson too died, but in this way he took a
revenge on his enemies. The two heavy pillars who gave support to the whole
building were shaken with great force by Samson and after their motion of to
and fro they came down. Samson succeeded in achieving his goal i.e to crush his
enemies for it he use his full strength to pull the pillars down on the heads
of his enemies. He shook the pillars again and again till they came down.
Lines
Lords, ladies, captains, councellors or priests ——— Pulled down the
same destruction on himself.
Explanation
The poet tells us in these lines that
among the people who were crushed to death under the roof were lords, ladies,
councellors and priests of the country. The people had assembled there from far
and near to celebrate the feast. As Samson too was among them, he also met the
same fate and was crushed to death. But, by sacrificing his own life, he killed
the best people of the enemy nation. The people who killed were choicest
nobility not only of this one city but also of all the Philistinian cities.
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