Summary Samson-wrestler
John Milton
Samson-wrestler
Samson, blinded, humiliated and scolded, languishes in captivity with the Philistines, in the prison of the city of Gaza. Slave labor wears out his body, and spiritual suffering torments the soul.
Neither day nor night Samson can not forget about what a glorious hero was before, and these memories inflict bitter torments on him. He remembers that the Lord preached the deliverance of Israel from the yoke of the Philistines: to liberate his people is destined for him, a blind and helpless prisoner. Samson repents that he revealed the secret of his power to Delilah, who betrayed him to the enemies. However, he does not dare to doubt the word of God and cherishes hope in the heart.
On the day of the festival dedicated to Dagon, the sea deity of the Philistines, when none of the Gentiles works, Samson is allowed to leave the walls of his prison and rest. Wrapping heavy chains, he goes into a secluded place and gives himself up to painful
Here they find him coming from Estaola and Tsora – Samson’s native places – his friends and fellow tribesmen and try to comfort the unfortunate fellow as much as possible. They urge the sufferer not to grumble on the Almighty’s craft and not blame himself, but they are surprised that Samson always preferred the women of Israel to the Philistines. The defeated hero explains to them that this was prompted by the secret voice of God, who ordered him to fight with the enemies and use every opportunity to lull their vigilance.
Samson blames the rulers of Israel, who did not support him and did not oppose the Philistines when he won the glorious victories. They even decided to extradite him to the enemies in order to save the homeland from the invaders. Samson allowed the Philistines to bind themselves, and then easily ripped the bonds and killed all the pagans with an ass jaw. If then the leaders of Israel decided to march against them, a final victory would be achieved.
There comes the elder Manoah, Samson’s father. He is depressed by the pitiable state of his
Manoah is going to go to them today, when all the Philistines are celebrating Thanksgiving Day to Dagon, who, they believe, delivered them from Samson’s hand. But the defeated hero does not want to live, always remembering his disgrace, and prefers death. The father persuades him to agree to a ransom and give everything to God’s will and leaves.
Samson’s wife appears, the beautiful Dalilah, and begs him to listen to her: she is cruelly repenting that she yielded to the persuasions of her fellow tribesmen and gave them the secret of his power. But she was moved only by love: she was afraid that Samson would abandon her, as he abandoned his first wife, a hetero from Timnath. The tribesmen promised Dalilah only to take Samson prisoner, and then give it to her. Samson could live in her house, and she would enjoy his love without fear of rivals.
She promises Samson to persuade the Philistine superiors to be allowed to take him home: she will take care of him and in everything please. But Samson does not believe in Delilah’s repentance and angrily rejects her offer. Delilah, wounded by Samson’s refusal and his contempt, renounces her husband and leaves.
Appears Garafa, a giant from the Philistine city of Geth. He regrets that he was not able to compete with Samson when he was still sighted and free. Garafa taunts the defeated hero and tells him that God left Samson, Samson, whose feet are solely clogged, evokes the boastful Garafa to the duel, but he does not dare to approach the angry prisoner and leaves.
A servant of the temple of Dagon appears and demands that Samson appear at the festival before the Philistine nobility and show everyone his strength. Samson refuses with contempt and sends a servant.
However, when he comes again, Samson, sensing a secret impulse in his heart, agrees to come to a pagan holiday and show his strength in the temple of Dagon. He believes that the God of Israel wants this, and foresees that this day will cover his name or indelible disgrace, or unfading glory.
With Samson they remove the fetters and promise him freedom, if he shows humility and obedience. In committing himself to God, Samson bids farewell to his friends and fellow tribesmen. He promises them not to shame either his people or his God and goes after the minister.
Manoah comes and tells the Israelis that there is a hope that he will be able to redeem his son. His speech is interrupted by a terrible noise and someone’s screams. Deciding that the Philistines rejoice over him, amused over his son’s humiliation, Manoi continues his story. But it is interrupted by the appearance of a messenger. He is a Jew, like them. Coming to Gaza on business, he witnessed Samson’s latest feat. The newsletter is so overwhelmed by the incident that it does not find words at first. But recovering, he tells the assembled brothers how Samson, who was brought to the theater full of Philistine nobility, brought down the roof of the building and, together with the enemies, perished under the rubble.
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