How we cite our quotes: (Line number)
Quote #1
SAMSON: To live a life half dead, a living death, and buried; but O yet more miserable! My self, my Sepulcher, a moving Grave, buried, yet not exempt by privilege of death and burial from worst other evils, pains, and wrongs (100-105)
Samson has the worst of both worlds: the darkness of death from being blind yet with all the pain that comes from being alive.
Quote #2
SAMSON: These dark orbs no more shall treat with light, nor th'other light of life continue long, but yield to double darkness night at hand (592-594).
Samson seems pretty sure his days are numbered. (He's right.) But our question is, does he do anything to hurry it along? Or has God already numbered the days?
Quote #3
SAMSON: Sleep hath forsook and giv'n me o're to death benumming Opium as my only cure (629-630)
Death as a form of pain relief does not sound healthy. We're pretty sure there are support lines for that sort of thing.
Quote #4
SAMSON: This one prayer yet remains, might I be heard, no long petition, speedy death, the close of all my miseries and the balm (649-651).
We're a little uneasy about Samson praying for death, but at least we know that he's comfortable with his own mortality. Or something. Is it right to pray for death?
Quote #5
SAMSON: Not for thy life, lest fierce remembrance wake my sudden rage to tear thee joint by joint (953-954)
Samson usually directs his thoughts of death towards himself, but here they get pretty violent towards Dalila. No wonder she's been so reluctant to come visit.
Quote #6
SAMSON: But come what will, my deadliest foe will prove my speediest friend, by death to rid me hence (1263-1265)
When death is something you actually value, language itself gets all topsy-turvy. Friends and foes are all mixed up.
Quote #7
SAMSON: This day will be remarkable in my life by some great act, or of my days the last (1388-1389)
Samson seems pretty eager to compare greatness and death. Is it an act of courage to go out in a blaze—or does he see death as a way to avoid having to deal with the consequences of his actions?
Quote #8
CHORUS: What if [Samson's] eye-sight... by miracle restored, he now be dealing dole among his foes and over heaps of slaughter'd walk his way? (1528-1530)
A rather gruesome image of Samson as killer, not victim. Does this change our reading of his character?
Quote #9
MESSENGER: Inevitable cause at once both to destroy and be destroyed (1585-1586)
Samson's death is particularly morbid because he both kills himself and other people too. But what good would it do for Samson to die alone?
Quote #10
MANOA: There will I build him a monument, and plant it round with shade of laurel ever green and branching palm, with all his trophies hung and acts enroll'd in copious legend (1734-1736)
Does Manoa's plan seem like it's going to bring Samson the peace and glory he wants? Or are we supposed to be a little suspicious of this—considering that Manoa doesn't seem like the most trustworthy dude?