Chapter Temptation of Samson Agonistes - Study Guide by John Milton

mercy. Guided by right reason and activated more so by Harapha's derisive suggestion that Heaven has deserted him than by the slight to his own pride, Samson asserts that there is no cause to doubt divine mercy or despair of pardon, for God's 'ear is ever open; and his eye / Gracious to readmit the suppliant'. Doubt gives way to faith. Samson becomes a humble petitioner seeking divine grace.

Though the verbal encounter with Harapha causes Samson to reassert his faith and humility before God, it does not teach him the virtue of patience. Without God's sanction, he challenges Harapha to a 'trial of mortal fight, / By combat to decide whose god is God'. Patience in waiting for divine commands is something Samson must learn. As was the case in his determination to marry Dalila, his motive in challenging Harapha is inherently good. Yet his defiant and selfless challenge puts him on the verge of committing another presumptuous act, of sacrificing the spiritual headway he has made through one negligent, though well- meaning, act. Ironically, a sudden burst of pride prevents Samson from carrying this presumptuous threat into execution: he disdains to fight a 'vain boaster' who uses every excuse to avoid combat - i.e. that Harapha claims he cannot fight a blind man, or demean himself to duel with a slave. Samson contemptuously dismisses the Philistine braggadocio in high scorn:

'Go baffled coward, lest I run upon thee,
Though in these chains, bulk without spirit vast,
And with one buffet lay thy structure low,
Or swing thee in the air, then dash thee down
To the hazard of thy brains and shattered sides.' (ll.1237-41)

The Philistian Officer

Few critics have regarded Samson's confrontation with the Philistian Officer as a separate and significant trial. However, it is one of the hero's most significant temptations: Samson must learn that as an agent of divine will he must wait to act only when God commands. The temptation presented by the Philistian Officer teaches Samson the necessity of patience, of standing and waiting for God's calling.

After the Chorus ironically observes Samson's lack of sight 'May chance to number with those / Whom patience finally must crown' (ll.1295-6), the Officer enters and commands Samson to follow him to the temple, where a festival is being held in Dagon's honour. Although Samson upholds adherence to Hebraic law as his reason for refusing to comply, it is apparent that his refusal is also motivated by wounded pride:

Have they not sword-players, and every sort
Of gymnic artists, wrestlers, riders, runners,
Jugglers and dancers, antics, mummers, mimics,
But they must pick me out with shackles tired,
And over-laboured at their public mill,
To make them sport with blind activity? (ll.1323-8)

Once more Samson verges on doing the right thing for the wrong reason. However, when the Officer reminds him that he should obey for his own safety, Samson remembers that his own safety is not important, that his strength is a God-given gift and must not, especially now that he has hope of pardon, be profaned in 'feats and play before their gods' (l.1340). Ultimately, Samson refuses to obey the command because he realises that, in doing so, he would be breaking God's law and prostituting his 'consecrated gift / Of strength' (l.1354-5) for the amusement of idolaters. His choice is to obey God's law or the Philistines' command. Since Samson has free will, the choice is his alone:

'the Philistian lords command.
Commands are no constraints. If I obey them,
I do it freely; venturing to displease
God for the fear of man, and man prefer,
Set God behind: which in his jealousy
Shall never, unrepented, find forgiveness. (ll.1371-6)

This is confirmation of Samson's faith and humility that he gives credence to the supreme value - he decides to obey divine law, regardless of the consequences. He goes further, for he declares that God:

'may dispense with me or thee
Present in temples at idolatrous rites
For some important cause.' (ll.1377-9)

That is, Samson refuses to obey the Philistine command, but says if God were to will his presence at the pagan temple, he would obey without hesitation or question. For the moment, however, he has received