Samson the Tragedy

We also talked about how difficult it would be to Samson Agonistes into an actual stage production and then, even if it was, that Samson seems bit too whiny to sympathize with.  I would like to submit that perhaps the performance of the play would not only be natural, but would enhance the audience's view of Samson. For three reasons

1. Samson, the Bible hero, fits the bill for Greek tragic hero. One critic said "Samson Agonistes follows a common tragic pattern : the hero, looked on as something monstrous or unacceptable, is killed or exiled, or as in Samson's case, is forced into a position where death is inevitable. This pattern is also Christian. It is related to Milton's ideal of Christian heroism, of plain heroic magnitude of mind, of the single just man, of patience as the truest fortitude, or of the suffering of the saints."

 

2. The purpose of Greek tragedy parallels the purpose of Bible stories. Each was to warn against pride and remind the audience that uncontrolled power corrupts. The power given to Samson by God mirrors not only other Greek plays, but also other characters of the Bible like David, Adam, and Judas Iscariot. By seeing their downfall, we are supposed to associate pride, disobedience, and careless rule with anguish.

3.The Chorus was extraordinarily effective in fulfilling this desired Greek purpose and would consequently be effective in relaying the Christian purpose. The way the Chorus functioned was overwhelmingly effective in producing this feeling of anguish which made for very poignant, emotional connections to form very quickly for the audience between the evil actions and painful consequences. 

Exploring Scripture Through Prose

The act of exploring scripture through prose is a very interesting idea. It is easy to think that it would be a dangerous attempt, being forced to take so many liberties and explore things the scriptures often remain silent or vague about. Is it always a good idea? What are some of the pros and cons? Right now I'm having a hard time thinking of any legitimate cons. We could obviously never call it doctrine, but imagining and recreating the great events of scripture in such a way opens doors of thought that are super interesting to explore. I would love to read/write a tragedy of this type from the perspective of Moroni, maybe starting from the point of Mormon 8:

 1 Behold I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father, Mormon. Behold, I have but few things to write, which things I have been commanded by my father.

 2 And now it came to pass that after the great and tremendous battle at Cumorah, behold, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward were hunted by the Lamanites, until they were all destroyed.

 3 And my father also was killed by them, and I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfil the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not.

 4 Therefore I will write and hide up the records in the earth; and whither I go it mattereth not.

 5 Behold, my father hath made this record, and he hath written the intent thereof. And behold, I would write it also if I had room upon the plates, but I have not; and ore I have none, for I am alone. My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not

That's some great tragedy material. And, like Samson in Milton's tragedy, reading such an exploration could cause the reader to have a greater appreciation for what Moroni had to go through and reflect on his situation. I found Milton's Agonistes extremely redeeming for Samson as a character in a way I had never pictured Samson in my reading of the scriptural story.