The Uncertain World of 'Samson Agonistes'

Ambiguity, present in all aspects of the poem, is seen as central to Milton's authorial intentions.

Shawcross proposes that the many ambiguities surrounding Milton's dramatic poem Samson Agonistes are intentional: the actual words, the dates of composition, the genre, and the characters - particularly Samson and Dalila but including Manoa, Harapha, and the Chorus. Ambiguity also lies in Milton's presentation of political issues both philosophical and practical, his treatment of gender concepts, the constant questioning of the reader, and the poem's effect. Discussing all these elements, Shawcross follows with a detailed reading of the text which argues that it remains purposefully ambiguous, reflecting Milton's own recognition of the uncertainty of the content, and suggesting that Milton himself would question some of the nice 'solutions' that modern scholarship has offered in the last two decades.

JOHN SHAWCROSS is Professor of English, Emeritus, University of Kentucky.

Author: John T. Shawcross
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer
Published: 02/01/2001
Pages: 168
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.93lbs
Size: 9.56h x 6.36w x 0.76d
ISBN: 9780859916097

Review Citation(s):
Choice 10/01/2001 pg. 313
Reference and Research Bk News 11/01/2001 pg. 228

About the Author
Shawcross, John T.: - John T Shawcross is Professor of English, Emeritus, University of Kentucky.