Samson Agonistes

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What to expect

Samson Agonistes, the ‘dramatic poem’ by John Milton, was published in 1671, three years before the poet’s death. Written in the form of a Greek tragedy, with the Chorus commenting on the action, it follows the biblical story of the blind Samson as he wreaks his revenge on the Philistines who have imprisoned him. A powerful subject, with a personal resonance for the blind Milton, it is a perfect work for the medium of audiobook where poetry and drama can be balanced equally. This production, adapted for BBC Radio 3, broadcast in 2008 and directed by John Tydeman, features Iain Glen in the title role, with Samantha Bond as Dalila, Philip Madoc as Harapha and Michael Maloney as the Messenger.

Critics Review

Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award
While Milton’s closet drama was not intended to be performed onstage, it could have been written for audio. Iain Glen and his supporting cast give listeners everything we need to follow this seventeenth-century disquisition on faith, duty, and blindness, both physical and moral. Glen’s Samson is agonised by guilt and faith but is energised out of his despair by the taunting visit of Delilah, wonderfully portrayed by Samantha Bond. The rest of the cast is nearly as good, making Milton’s iambic pentameter as understandable as ordinary speech, but more thrilling. Some of Milton’s attitudes (particularly toward women) may not be palatable to contemporary listeners, but this is a first-rate performance of a classic work.

D.M.H., AudioFile

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