Summary:
Samson Agonistes is a dramatic poem by John Milton, written in the form of a tragedy and based on the Biblical story of Samson, the hero of the Israelites who was betrayed by Delilah and lost his strength. The poem explores themes of heroism, suffering, betrayal, and redemption. The story focuses on Samson’s internal struggle as he faces the consequences of his actions, including his blindness and capture by the Philistines. The poem is centered around a dramatic dialogue between Samson and various characters, including his father, his servant, and Delilah, which ultimately leads to his final act of heroism. Despite his physical weakness, Samson finds inner strength and redeems himself by destroying the Philistine temple, killing his enemies, and sacrificing his life in the process.
1. : Who is the protagonist of Samson Agonistes?
(A) Delilah
(B) Samson
(C) The Philistine king
(D) Manasseh
2. : What is the central theme of Samson Agonistes?
(A) Love and betrayal
(B) The loss and recovery of strength
(C) The rise of the Israelites
(D) The fall of the Roman Empire
3. : Who betrays Samson in the poem?
(A) His father
(B) Delilah
(C) His brother
(D) A servant
4. : In Samson Agonistes, what is Samson’s greatest source of strength?
(A) His physical might
(B) His faith in God
(C) His wisdom
(D) His family’s support
5. : What happens to Samson after he is betrayed by Delilah?
(A) He is crowned king
(B) He loses his strength and is blinded
(C) He escapes to a distant land
(D) He becomes a slave of the Philistines
6. : What is Samson’s final act of heroism in the poem?
(A) He defeats Delilah in combat
(B) He escapes from prison
(C) He destroys the Philistine temple by pushing over its pillars
(D) He converts the Philistines to his faith
7. : Who serves as the moral guide for Samson in Samson Agonistes?
(A) His father
(B) His friend
(C) His inner voice or conscience
(D) Delilah
8. : Which of the following best describes the form of Samson Agonistes?
(A) Epic poem
(B) Dramatic tragedy
(C) Lyric poem
(D) Satirical essay
9. : What does Samson struggle with throughout Samson Agonistes?
(A) A sense of failure and regret
(B) A desire for revenge against Delilah
(C) A longing for freedom from the Philistines
(D) An internal conflict between his strength and weakness
10. : How does Samson ultimately find redemption in Samson Agonistes?
(A) By escaping from prison
(B) By defeating the Philistine king in single combat
(C) By sacrificing himself to destroy the Philistine temple
(D) By regaining his sight