This dissertation contains a discussion of martyrs and martyrdom as it traces changes in the original meaning of the Greek word and the establishment of the martyr cultus. It also contains a review of the literature of martyrdom beginning with the biblical account of Saint Stephen in the Acts of the Apostles, continuing with the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius, the Ecclesiastical History of the English People by the Venerable Bede, The Golden Legend by Jacobus de Voragine, and Acts and Monuments by John Foxe in order to determine criteria for martyrdom and characteristics common to Christian martyrs. Next, a review is made of the prose and poetic works of John Milton, and this review reveals Milton's expansion of the definition of martyrdom to include not only death, but also disgrace, torture, and imprisonment as a result of the profession of the true religion as found in Holy Scripture Using this information, an interpretation of Samson Agonistes is made in accordance with Milton's Christianity, and Samson is shown to be the archetypal Christian martyr who suffers disgrace, torture, imprisonment, and death attesting to the word of God. Milton also presents Samson with most of the attributes of a Christian martyr and though differences exist between Samson and the Christian martyr, they in no way negate his being an Old Testament type. Perfection as well as fulfillment is in the New Testament antitype, who is Christ Milton writes Samson Agonistes with Christian martyrdom in mind, and he presents Samson as a betrayer of God who suffers, repents, and has enough faith to dedicate himself to God's service again, if God wills it. Samson's regeneration and willingness to act are freely made decisions in accord with Milton's ideas of Christian liberty. Samson acquires a faith based on suffering, regeneration, and intellectual acceptance, and this faith contrasts with his early inherited faith / acase@tulane.edu
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_23267 |
| Date | January 1982 |
| Contributors | Rusbar, Alice M (Author) |
| Publisher | Tulane University |
| Source Sets | Tulane University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Access requires a license to the Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) database., Copyright is in accordance with U.S. Copyright law |
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