In John Milton's play Samson Agonistes, sight is a recurring motif and blindness is frequently used as a metaphor to define the status of a character's journey. Milton uses the presence or lack of clarity of vision, both physically and spiritually, to indicate the direction of the characters. Although several characters suffer from blindness to varying degrees, Samson embodies the dynamic states and stages of blindness. All of these are necessary elements of his pilgrimage of personal redemption, where his loss of physical sight becomes essential to alleviate the more serious condition of inner and spiritual blindness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned'? Get the original essay Manoah's fatherly bond with his son hinders his ability to see that the blindness Samson must endure due to his failures is actually necessary to restore Samson's spirit. inner eyes. Manoah tries to convince Samson that his predicament can be reversed and that there is a way out of it: "But God who caused a fountain to spring up at your prayer, from the dry ground to the spring, your thirst to soothe after the weight of battle, can also easily bring about light. back into your eyes to spring. (581-84) Manoah's eyes are indeed veiled from reality, as he is unable to analyze the situation outside of his temperament and concepts which persuade him to believe that Samson is, in fact, ascetic. Manoah has full confidence that her son's recovery and return home would alleviate the current problems. However, Samson realizes that his escape will not help him on his destined path and will not achieve the goal of his existence. God surely did not intend for Samson to free Israel single-handedly, but as the tribe's sole recipient of divine instruction, Samson is seen as the man who will free Israel and her people from captivity. The fear and wonder of his strength became an obstacle in the eyes of the Hebrews and their faith. It does not occur to them that perhaps they too, as a people, have a role to play in bringing God's plan to fruition. Their eyes are so fixed on the idea that Samson will be their savior that, in some way, their faith in God is diminished. Samson's strength is a simple manifestation of God's strengthening from within; the Israelites, however, view his gift of strength as his only qualification for the mission. In doing so, they themselves deny any responsibility. The Israelites should have learned from Solomon's mistakes after his fall and taken the initiative to keep the promise. Instead, like Samson, his people lose sight of their faith and its source. It becomes clear that Samson has become an idol to his people, and they have lost God as their goal by fixing their collective gaze on the divine figure of Samson, enabled by his strength and pride. Therefore, Samson is not the only one who has lost sight of his calling, but the Hebrews have fallen to the point where they "love bondage more than liberty, / bondage with ease than liberty withering" (270-1 ). Samson, as well as his people, do not initially realize that his strength does not lie in the seven locks of unshaven hair, but that his hair is a simple symbol of his heritage and his vow to God. A footnote in Numbers, explaining the meaning of the Nazarene vow, says: "Not to shave one's head means not to reject but to be absolutely submissive to the leadership of the Lord as well as to all assistant authorities appointed by God. » The Nazarene vow was not developed only for Samson, but it was a time ofvoluntary consecration where the Israelites declared their separation to God: “All the days of his vow of separation, no razor will pass over his head. He will be holy until the days for which he separated himself from Jehovah are fulfilled; he will let the locks of his head grow. (Numbers 6:5) This general custom proves that, contrary to the belief of Samson and Delilah, that her hair is not the source of her supernatural strength. Samson's “divine strength” (36) is accompanied by a mission whose accomplishment rests entirely on his fidelity to the vow. Little by little, Samson becomes distracted by the fame and admiration his strength arouses. A goal initially born of a divinely assigned mission slowly drifts away toward a talent for self-aggrandizement that makes Samson “fearless of danger, like a little God made, admired by all” (529-30). Samson himself admits that he reached a point where he was “puffed up with pride” and fell “into the trap” (532). As this selfish view begins to take over Samson's life, he simultaneously begins to lose sight of his life's goals and purpose, leaving him internally blind, before his eyes are dramatically gouged out. During the first three temptations of Delilah, Samson's faith still remains true as he maintains his loyalty and covenant with God, just as he maintains the part of his vow that requires him to abstain from "all drinks delicious…[to] repress” (541-43). However, during Delilah's fourth attempt to deceive her husband, "this high gift of strength...how easily [the mourner] [him], / Under the seal of silence could not keep him, / But weakly to a woman [it] reveals” (47-50). Once Samson recognizes his weakness, despite his outward strength, he begins the journey of ascension toward self-reconstruction, where Samson realizes how he ended up in such a predicament: "God sent her to m 'debase and aggravate my madness which He entrusted to such a viper His most sacred trust: the secret, my security and my life' (999-1002). Samson realizes too late that he was “powerless in spirit, strong in body!” » (52). Before his upward journey, Samson must be completely broken, blinded and chained, “lower than the…worm” (73-74). The man who was once admired and revered is now "dark in the light, exposed / to daily fraud, contempt, abuse and evil" (75-76), rendered powerless, so that he can begin the long and dark journey towards one's self and return to one's calling.Keep in mind: this is just a sample.Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.Get a custom essayMilton repeatedly uses the metaphor of blindness to move his characters from a point of darkness toward light. , to illustrate the dynamic growth and development of each character on their own specific path to destiny. Milton's entire tragedy depicts the perilous journey of the hero whose "rearing [is] ordered and prescribed / As that of a person separated from God" (30-31). For Samson's purpose to be accomplished and God's plan to be realized, Samson's physical strength must be reduced to nothing. It is only in that moment of despair that follows complete failure that the hero is able to prove his true strength, rising from the heap of collapse. Not only does this journey involve rebuilding his strength, but Samson is forced to endure this journey into total darkness in order to redefine his worldview and abandon his confidence in his own abilities, and ultimately refine and strengthen his faith. in God. The Hebrews, like Samson, also need to regain their sight to see again who their God is. Their faith falters simultaneously with the breaking of Samson's vow; »..