| The Uncertain World of 'Samson Agonistes' Contributor(s): Shawcross, John T. (Author) |
|
 |
ISBN: 085991609X ISBN-13: 9780859916097 Publisher: Boydell & Brewer OUR PRICE: $99.75 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: February 2001 Annotation: Shawcross proposes that the many ambiguities surrounding Milton's dramatic poem Samson Agonistes are intentional: the actual words, the dates of composition, the genre, and the characters - particularly Samson and Dalila but including Manoa, Harapha, and the Chorus. Ambiguity also lies in Milton's presentation of political issues both philosophical and practical, his treatment of gender concepts, the constant questioning of the reader, and the poem's effect. Discussing all these elements, Shawcross follows with a detailed reading of the text which argues that it remains purposefully ambiguous, reflecting Milton's own recognition of the uncertainty of the content, and suggesting that Milton himself would question some of the nice 'solutions' that modern scholarship has offered in the last two decades.JOHN SHAWCROSS is Professor of English, Emeritus, University of Kentucky. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Literary Criticism | English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh - Literary Criticism | American - General |
| Dewey: 822.4 |
| LCCN: 00058554 |
| Series: Studies in Renaissance Literature |
| Physical Information: 0.76" H x 6.36" W x 9.56" (0.93 lbs) 168 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 17th Century - Cultural Region - British Isles |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Shawcross proposes that the many ambiguities surrounding Milton's dramatic poem Samson Agonistes are intentional: the actual words, the dates of composition, the genre, and the characters - particularly Samson and Dalila but including Manoa, Harapha, and the Chorus. Ambiguity also lies in Milton's presentation of political issues both philosophical and practical, his treatment of gender concepts, the constant questioning of the reader, and the poem's effect. Discussing all these elements, Shawcross follows with a detailed reading of the text which argues that it remains purposefully ambiguous, reflecting Milton's own recognition of the uncertainty of the content, and suggesting that Milton himself would question some of the nice 'solutions' that modern scholarship has offered in the last two decades. JOHN SHAWCROSS is Professor of English, Emeritus, University of Kentucky. |
Contributor Bio(s): Shawcross, John T.: - John T Shawcross is Professor of English, Emeritus, University of Kentucky. |