Samson Agonistes Marriage Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Line number)

Quote #1

CHORUS: Yet truth to say, I oft have heard men wonder why thou shouldst wed Philistian women rather that of thine own tribe (215-216)

Marriage choices don't have only personal consequences: they have public and political consequences too. Think about that next time you log into OKCupid.

Quote #2

MANOA: I pray'd for children, and thought barrenness in wedlock a reproach (353)

Sounds like marriage carries a lot of expectations. Way stressful—no wonder it didn't work out for Samson.

Quote #3

SAMSON: In [Dalila's] prime of love, spousal embraces [were] vitiated with gold (389-390)

This is just a fancy way of saying that Dalila corrupted their marriage with a love of money. Samson is really trying to contrast the physical affection of marriage with Dalila's economic treatment of it.