In John Milton's play Samson Agonistes, sight is a recurring motif, and blindness is frequently used as a metaphor for the state of a character's journey. Milton uses the presence or lack of clarity in vision, both physically and spiritually, to indicate the direction of the characters. Although different characters experience blindness to different degrees, Samson embodies the dynamic states and stages of blindness. All these are necessary components of his pilgrimage of personal redemption, where the loss of physical sight becomes essential to mitigate the most serious condition of internal and spiritual blindness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Manoah's paternal 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 ability to have inner eyes. Manoah attempts to convince Samson that his situation can be reversed and that there is a way out: "But God, who caused a fountain to your prayer, from the dry ground to the spring, quench your thirst after the shock of battle, can just as easily cause light." back in your eyes for spring. (581-84)Manoah's eyes are indeed clouded by reality, as he is unable to analyze the situation separately from his disposition and the concepts that persuade him to believe that Samson is, in fact, an ascetic. Manoah has full confidence that his son's recovery and return home would ensure that the current problems are resolved. However, Samson realizes that his escape will not help him along the path intended for him and will not fulfill the purpose of his existence. Surely God did not intend for Samson to free Israel on his own, but as the tribe's sole recipient of divine instruction, Samson is considered the man who will free Israel and its people from captivity. The amazement and wonder that his strength arouses becomes an obstacle in the eyes of the Jews and their faith. They don't think that perhaps they, as a people, also have a role in fulfilling God's plan. Their eyes are so fixed on the idea that Samson will be their savior that in a sense their faith in God is diminished. Samson's strength is a mere manifestation of God's strengthening from within; the Israelites, however, view his gift of strength as his only qualification for the mission assignment. In doing so, they deny themselves 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 apparent that Samson has become an idol to his people, and they have lost God as a focal point by fixing their collective vision on the divine figure of Samson, which his strength and pride provide. Thus, Samson is not the only one who has lost sight of his calling, but the Jews have fallen to the point of “loving slavery more than freedom, / Slavery with ease than freedom toilsome” (270-1). Samson, as well as his people, initially fail to see that his strength lies not in his seven locks of unshorn hair, but that his hair is a mere symbol of his heritage and his vow to God. A note to footer in Numbers, explaining the meaning of the Nazarite vow, says: “Not to shave one's head means not to reject but to be absolutely subject to the authority of the Lord and all substitute authorities appointed by God.” The Nazirite vow was not developed exclusively for Samson, but was a voluntary moment of consecration in which the Israelites declared their separation to God:“For all the days of his vow of separation no razor shall pass over his head. He will be holy until the days of his separation from Jehovah are fulfilled; he will let the curls of his head grow longer." (Numbers 6:5) This general custom demonstrates that, contrary to Samson and Delilah's belief, that his hair is not the source of his supernatural strength. Samson's "celestial strength" (36) is accompanied by a mission whose fulfillment depends entirely on his faithfulness to his vow. Little by little Samson is distracted by the fame and admiration that his strength arouses. A purpose that initially originated from a divinely assigned mission slowly digresses into a talent for self-glorification that makes Samson “fearless of danger, like a mean God, walking in admiration of all” (529-30). Samson himself admits that he reached a point where he was “swollen with pride” and fell “into the snare” (532). As this selfish outlook begins to take precedence in 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. Throughout Delilah's first three temptations, Samson's faith still remains true as he maintains his loyalty and covenant with God, just as he upholds the part of his vow that requires him to abstain from "all delicious drinks... [to] repress" (541-43). However, on Delilah's fourth attempt to deceive her husband, "this high gift of strength...how easily [she loses it], / Under the seal of Silence she could not keep it, / But feebly to a woman she reveals [it]" (47-50). Once Samson recognizes his weakness, despite his outward strength, he begins the journey of ascent towards self-reconstruction, where Samson comes to realize how he found himself in such a difficult situation: “God sent her to humiliate me and aggravate my folly who entrusted to such a viper his most sacred trust: secrecy, my safety and my life” (999-1002). Samson realizes too late that he is “impotent in mind, strong in body!” (52). Before his journey upward, Samson must be completely broken, blinded, and chained, “less than… worm” (73-74). The man who was once admired and revered is now "dark in the light, exposed / to daily fraud, contempt, abuse and wrong" (75-76), rendered powerless, so that the long, dark journey may begin in his self and returns to his vocation. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Milton repeatedly uses the metaphor of blindness to take his characters on a progression from a point of darkness to light, to illustrate the dynamic growth and development of each character on their own specific path to destiny. Milton's entire tragedy describes the treacherous journey of the hero whose “breeding [is] ordained and prescribed / As a person separated from God” (30-31). In order for Samson's purpose to be realized and God's plan to be realized, Samson's physical strength must be reduced to zero. It is possible only in this moment of desperation following complete failure that the hero is able to demonstrate his true strength, rising from the pile of collapse. Not only does this journey involve rebuilding his strength, but Samson is forced to endure this journey in complete darkness to redefine his worldview and abandon faith in his own abilities, and ultimately refine and strengthen his faith. in God. Even the Jews, like Samson, need to recover their sight to see who their God is again. Their faith falters at the same time as Samson's breaking his vow; none of them undertake”..