ABSTRACT

Milton's life story and his doctrinal writings complicate the critical positioning of the hero and deepen the weighty sense of the poem's importance for a true understanding of the poet. Barbara Lewalski has made a grand request regarding Samson Agonistes, declaring that, 'anyone who would joinor rejointhis critical debate at this juncture should declare his or her assumptions at the outset'. The passionate critical debate over Samson's status is understandable and even fitting. Even more impressive than the critical response, though, is the ability of Samson Agonistes itself to accommodate those arguments convincingly. The fiercely bifurcated critical responses that Samson's tragedy has provoked are a natural enough response to the bifurcated nature of the hero. The poet makes him nobler, more cerebral, more soulful and less compromised than the Bible does. At the same time, though, Milton casts doubts, forcing us to question Samson's choices, and the suggestion that what he does is divinely sanctioned.