Samson Agonistes Guilt and Blame Quotes
How we cite our quotes: (Line number)
Quote #1
SAMSON: Let me not rashly call in doubt Divine Prediction; what if all foretold had been fulfilled but through mine own default, whom have I to complain of but my self? (44-46).
Nice save, Samson. You almost blamed God there. Wonder how that would have gone over? Remember: when you point a finger, there are four pointing back at you.
Quote #2
SAMSON: [Dalila] was not the prime cause, but I my self (234)
A nice example of Samson blaming himself instead of others. Are we supposed to agree? Can we blame Dalila at all, or is she just a victim like everyone else.
Quote #3
SAMSON: That fault I take not on me, but transfer on Israel's governors, and heads of tribes... (241-242)
Scratch that: Samson is blaming other people, instead. Notice how he uses the word "transfer"—he seems to think of "fault" as something that's tangible and movable. It exists, and someone has to have it.
Quote #4
SAMSON: Appoint not heavenly disposition, Father, nothing of all these evils hath befall'n me but justly; I my self have brought them on. Sole author I, sole cause (374-376).
Samson seems pretty keen on making it clear to Dad that God isn't to blame—even though he almost seems willing to blame God at other points. But if God is the one who gave him strength, then couldn't it be God who arranged to have it taken away?
Quote #5
SAMSON: [Dalila] purposed to betray me and (which was worse then undissembl'd hate) with what contempt she sought to make me Traytor to my self (399-401)
A real example of how complex this whole blame thing can be. How exactly can someone else make you a traitor to yourself? Does that make the other person a traitor?
Quote #6
SAMSON: Spare that proposal, Father... let me here, as I deserve, pay on my punishment; and expiate, if possible, my crime (488-490)
Samson doesn't only take responsibility for what's happened, he wants to continue to be punished for it. This is actually approaching epically messed-up levels. Is there any good in wallowing in your own guilt?
Quote #7
SAMSON: But I Gods counsel have not kept, his holy secret presumptuously have publish'd, impiously... a sin that Gentiles in thir parables condemn (498-501)
Samson thinks his fault is so bad that even non-Jews (that would be "Gentiles") punish it as a terrible thing. And you know you've really messed up in the Biblical world when Gentiles think you've done something wrong.
Quote #8
MANOA: Be penitent and for thy fault contrite, but act not in thy own affliction, Son, repent the sin but if the punishment thou canst avoid, self-preservation bids (503-505)
Do you agree with Manoa's distinction between guilt and punishment? He's basically saying that you can feel guilty and repent without taking the punishment—but Samson doesn't agree. To him, guilt and punishment go together. In other words, if do the crime, you have to do the time.
Quote #9
SAMSON: All these indignities... these evils I deserve and more, acknowledge them from God inflicted on me justly (1169-1171).
Samson admits that his God might be responsible for his suffering, but he isn't to blame. Another interesting distinction: blame implies something bad, but "responsible" implies that we're going to see some good come of this whole situation.
Quote #10
Chorus: Now ly'st victorious among thy [Samson's] slain, self-kill'd not willingly, but tangl'd in dire necessity (1664-1666)
This is a pretty slippery little definition of "necessity." Background: suicide was a big no-no. But the question here is, was Samson's death just collateral damage? Or was it part of his goal?