Monday, 30 June 2008: conclude Samson Agonistes

Text-objective discussion: Jennifer Clary

Examples taken from:

Oedipus at Colonus &

Milton’s, Samson Agonistes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oedipus_the_King

Antigone Leads Oedipus out of Thebes by Charles Francois Jalabert

Presentation Outline

Part I

Objectives:

Objective 2: To evaluate "the greatness of tragedy" (handout) as the supreme genre in western culture and art.

Focusing on the Essential terms:

·         irony

·         spectacle and the sublime

·         compare / contrast with other basic narratives: comedy, romance, satire

Objective 3. To study Tragedy in the context of Western Civilization

3b. To recognize the contribution of "classical civilization" to secular institutions: the theater

Terms:

Ancient Greece is generally considered to be the culture which provided the foundation of Western Civilization. refers to all Greek history before the Roman Empire

Western Civilization refers to the world we know today.

Greek culture had a powerful influence on the Roman Empire. This influence was then carried to other parts of Europe and onto the rest of the world. Our language, democracy, educational systems, and arts such as the plays we have read in this class, have all been influenced by ancient Greece or written by ancient Greek play writes.

 

Sublime (from handout)

“The Sublime is a phonemenon whose beauty is mixed or edged with danger or a threat – usually on a grand or elevated scale.

“For an audience, experiencing the sublime involves a powerful mixture of pleasure and pain.”

Greek Tragedy Masks:

http://www.arlymasks.com/timeline.htm

        Classic

                   Expressions clearly seen

        Today

                   Less expressive or emotional

                More commercial

Greek Theater:

        Classic

http://courses.nus.edu.sg/course/ellpatke/en3268/en3268_lec_1.htm

A contemporary view of the Greek Theatre (Athens): Photo courtesy Dr. Susan Ang

        Today

                   YouTube Example

                Modernization has made its mark

Question # 1

Greatness of Tragedy handout:

“Tragedy is more memorable and durable than more popular genres [such as comedy and romance]”. As a class we determined that tragedies memorable factors came into play through the way the characters and the action of the play make us feel.

1)  Do you feel that any of the power in tragedy was lost, or could be lost, as it travels from the Classical Greek stage, with classical staging and original costuming, to our modern stage?

2) How much does the power of classical Greek drama transfer to Samson Agonistes?

Part II

Terms:

Humanism – to bring value to a human being.

Judeo-Christian is a term used to describe the body of concepts and values which are thought to be held in common by Judaism and adapted by Christianity, and considered by some (often along with classical Greco-Roman civilization) a fundamental basis for Western legal codes and moral values.    ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judeo-Christian).

When we use the words Judeo-Christian and Humanism together what we are basically saying is that through Judeo-Christian beliefs, value has been brought to the human being.

Human Value:

Here Samson is questioning his human value.

Samson Agonistes

Pg. 4, ln 30

Samson:

“Why was my breeding ordered and prescribed

As of a person separate to God,

Designed for great exploits; if I must die

Betrayed, Captived, and both my Eyes put out,

Made of my Enemies the scorn and gaze;

To grind in Brazen Fetters under task

With this Heaven-gifted strength?”

Samson Agonistes

Pg. 19, Ln. 664

Samson:

“Some source of consolation from above;

Secret refreshing, that repair his strength,

And fainting spirits uphold.

God of our Fathers, what is man!”

Question # 2:

Do you feel that Milton’s, Samson acknowledges classical humanisms (human rights and values) adequately?

Biblical Content:

        Samson Agonistes

                Old Testament tale of Samson

                Judges 13 -16

                Names used in the Bible as well as the play

                        Samson

                        Dalila

                        Manoa(h)

        Samson Agonistes

        Pg. 5, Ln. 70

        Samson:

                “Light the prime work of God to me is extinct…”

        Samson Agonistes

        Pg. 6, Ln. 83

        Samson:

                “Let there be light, and light was over all…”

Question # 3

How do you feel about Milton’s use of Biblical content within the play Samson or in Greek Tragedy? Does the mixing of Biblical content and Greek Tragedy work?