Publication Date
1-1-2016
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Crowley, Lara
Degree Name
B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)
Legacy Department
Department of English
Abstract
You would not expect a female character in Puritanical literature to express ambition and seek opportunities to empower herself. However, in Samson Agonistes, Milton introduces readers to Dalila, Samson’s wife and antagonist, who betrays Samson and receives wealth and fame from Philistine officials for doing so. While Dalila is supposed to be portrayed negatively, I argue the antithesis. Dalila should be celebrated as an early example of a self-actualized woman. My argument is divided into three sections. First, I present a history of the Israelite and Philistine conflict, an account of the Biblical story of Samson and Dalila that Milton uses as inspiration for Samson Agonistes, and I present the relevant changes Milton makes to the story of Samson and Dalila. Next, I discuss the relationship of Samson and Dalila as a domestic partnership, including how they interact with one another in Milton’s closet drama. Finally, I argue, and conclude, that Dalila is an early example of an empowered woman in Puritanical literature. Samson fails in his duties as a husband, so Dalila seizes opportunity to live her life for her own ambition. By exhibiting ambition, Dalila becomes a self-actualized woman.
Recommended Citation
Schultz, Timothy J., "From Abandoned to Self-Actualized: Dalila as an Empowered Woman in Milton's Samson Agonistes" (2016). Honors Capstones. 559.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/studentengagement-honorscapstones/559
Tim Schultz 2016.pdf
TIM SCHULTZ capstone final.docx (47 kB)
Main article
Extent
19 pages
Language
eng
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
