Fusion or tragedy and martyrdom in Samson Agonistes.

Writing in an age of religious flux and political upheavals, Milton has always responded to religious debates of the contemporary times. For a text like Samson Agonistes Milton's concerns are hence at the same time Biblical, political and literary. The blend of Christian ethos with a classical spirit is noticeable especially in Milton's handling of tragedy and martyrdom in Samson Agonistes. Samson is not only a tragic hero in the classical spirit, he is also a Christian martyr. The power of Samson Agonistes resides in this fusion.

According to Aristotle tragedy is 'the imitation of action' in which a man is seen to transform prosperity to adversity. He possesses `hamartia', the tragic flaw, due to which he meets his ultimate catastrophe. it evokes emotions of pity and fear into the audience. Milton has written Samson Agonistes maintaining the rules of Aristotelian tragedy. Maintaining the classical rules, the drama starts in `medias res'. From the conversation between Samson and Manoa, Samson and chorus, Samson and Dalila we come to know that Samson's birth was noble. Moreover, he was a `Nazarite'. But, this strong man fell down from his high position for making a mistake or for committing a wrong action. This mistake is known as `hamartia'. Samson's `hamartia' is his `uxuriousness'. He committed wrong by marring a lady of opposite party violating the rules of a `Nazarite' and this leads him to his ultimate catastrophe.

But,Milton has written this drama in tragic pattern with a difference.Samson has been portrayed as a tragic hero till his `hamartia'.In a tragedy, the tragic hero will die after suffering, but Samson's death proves to be a difference.Milton has brought a twist by blending a Christian spirit of martyrdom in the classical form of a tragedy.

In synthesizing Christian spirit and classical form in Samson Agonistes, Milton has to reconcile two concept of hero: the good man who repents For his sins and achieves through martyrdom a spiritual victory, and the superior person who suffers beyond what he deserves,because ail tragic flaw. Milton has used a kind of Christianised Aristotelianism in defining ethical virtues in his Christian doctrine. Samson failed not in too arrogant toward his neighbours--for he ought to have had more honour in lsrael,and he should have asserted his rightful authority over Dalila—but in arrogance before God, instead of absolute humility.This failure is allied with lust and sloth,which in his regeneration Samson must overcame,just as he must manifest humility,laith as God's choosen servant. Samson had come to glory in his strength as his own when he should have dedicated it to God.He was slothful when he should have been perpetually alert as God's champion. His passion had enslaved his manhood and blinded his reason and Samson made the wrong choice.

 But, through his logic,his suffering Samson has overcome all these physical temptations. He denied to return home with the help of ransom given by Manoa,his father. He preferred to die rather than to return home.ln this way, he overcame the temptation of sloth. Again he did not accept the apology of Dalila. Through his rejection of Dahlia, he overcame his uxuriousness. Harapha's humiliating words that he is 'a murtherer,a revolter,and a robber' had brought a psychological change in his mind. In this way, he is purified by trial. He became 'his own deliverer'. Thus,here,Milton has used the classical model for treating the hero's character,the classical technique,but has transformed it through the Christian ethical evaluation.

Samson next needs only an opportunity to display his newly won strength and virtue.He is now free from any temptation,he is now totally faithful to God and he has only one step to take before martyrdom. He has now felt some `rouzing motions' of a divine command to perform an extraordinary and honourable act,he is now oblying God.Without knowing the particular details,he understands the significance,what he is about to do.

                "Nothing dishonourable, impure, unworthy 

                  Our God, our law, my nation, or my self 

                  The last of me or not can not warrant" 

                                               (Samson Agonistes, 1424-1426)

Samson thus sums up his duty to God, his neighbour and himself - and he do so through both patient martyrdom and active service. Thus Samson is going forth to quite himself ‘like Samson' and heroically finish a life of heroism, not only suffer overwhelming catastrophe but achieves moral victory,and the calm ending is the Christian consolation that Samson has earned immoral fame 'with God, no parted from him. as , as was  feared. / but favouring and assisting to the end'. Samson becomes the tragic hero with the spirit of a martyr.