Heroic contradictions: Samson and the death of Turnus.(John Milton's 'Paradise Lost' and 'Samson Agonistes')(Critical essay)

Texas Studies in Literature and Language | June 22, 2008| | Copyright

At key moments in both of his epics, Milton seems to reject the type of heroism traditionally associated with the epic genre. In Paradise Lost 9 he dismisses tales that glorify destructive passions such as: 

 
  the wrauth 
  Of stern Achilles on his Foe pursu'd 
  Thrice Fugitive about Troy Wall; or rage 
  Of Turnus for Lavinia disespous'd .... (14-17) (1)

His epic will celebrate instead "the better fortitude / Of Patience and Heroic Martyrdom" (9, 31-32). In Paradise Regain'd, the Son similarly claims 

 
  They err who count it glorious to subdue 
  By ...

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