How we cite our quotes: (Line number)
Quote #1
SAMSON: O glorious strength put to the labour of a Beast, debas't lower than bondslave! (36-38)
It's ironic that Samson's claim to fame is now a source of total embarrassment: like making Shakespeare write ad copy for Bratz dolls.
Quote #2
SAMSON: This high gift of strength committed to me... how easily bereft me... weakly to a woman to reveal it. (48-50)
This won't be the last time Samson thinks about the irony of how weakly he handled his gift of strength. We promise.
Quote #3
SAMSON: But what is strength without a double share of wisdom... (54-55)
We hear that! Super strength without brains just gives you this guy. (No offense to that guy.)
Quote #4
SAMSON: God, when he gave me strength, to shew withal how slight the gift was, hung it in my Hair" (58-60)
Does the explanation for the hair-strength connection make sense to you? And could Samson have buffed it up a little with some of this stuff?
Quote #5
CHORUS: Can this be he, that heroic, that renown'd, irresistible Samson? whom unarm'd no strength of man, or fiercest wild beast could withstand; who tore the lion, as the lion tears the kid...? (124-128)
Wow, maybe Samson really was like a superhero. The Chorus makes him sound not only amazingly strong, but famous too.
Quote #6
MANOA: O ever failing trust in mortal strength! and oh what not in man deceivable and vain! (349-350)
What would immortal strength then be? (We're betting it starts with a "G" and ends with a "D.")
Quote #7
SAMSON: In strength all mortals I excell'd, and great in hopes with youthful courage and magnanimous thoughts (522-524)
And he's modest, too! Well, at least he's making up for his former boastfulness by talking endlessly about how much he messed up. Or is that just another form of bragging? ("Look how bad I am. I am so bad.")
Quote #8
CHORUS: Many are the sayings of the wise in ancient and in modern books enroll'd extolling patience has the truest fortitude (652-654).
The Chorus offers another definition of strength that Samson also might need to work on: patience. And reading.