Wilson-Okamura, David Scott, 1970-Pittman, Joshua W.2014-06-152017-02-072014http://hdl.handle.net/10342/4393This thesis examines rabbinic commentaries on the Samson story and the ways in which Milton appropriates or differs from these interpretations. It considers the critical debate over whether Samson's character and violent life are justified and seeks to reconcile critics who justify Samson with those who vilify him. It argues that seeing Samson as a type of Christ, but an incomplete type, at least partially obviates this dissension by making Samson sinful while also allowing his final action to serve the will of God.  63 p.dissertations, academicBritish and Irish literatureReligionChristian tragedyRabbisTragedyViolenceSamson AgonistesMilton, John, 1608-1674--Criticism and interpretationMilton, John, 1608-1674--Knowledge--JudaismMilton, John, 1608-1674. Samson AgonistesSamson (Biblical judge)--In literatureRashi, 1040-1105Kimhi, David, approximately 1160-approximately 1235Levi ben Gershom, 1288-1344Maimonides, Moses, 1135-1204Master's Thesis