1. In 1671, Milton issued his last volume of poetry, which contained 'Paradise Regained' and 'Samson Agonistes'.
  2. 'Paradise Regained' is briefer and poorer than 'Paradise Lost'.
  3. 'Samson Agonistes', in form, has no unity of time, place and action.
  4. 'Lycidas' has the colour and music of the best spenserian verse.
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1 Answers

Option 3 : 'Samson Agonistes', in form, has no unity of time, place and action.

The correct answer is 'Samson Agonistes', in form, has no unity of time, place and action.

  • Samson Agonistes is a tragic closet drama by John Milton. It was published along with Milton's Paradise Regained in 1671. 
  • Samson Agonistes draws on the story of Samson from the Old Testament. The drama starts 'in medias res'. Samson has been captured by the Philistines, has his hair, the container of his strength, cut off and his eyes cut out. 
  • It combines Greek tragedy with Hebrew Scripture, which alters both forms. In his introduction, Milton discusses Aristotle's definition of tragedy, and later connects his play with the classical tragedy of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides.
  • Milton limited the action to the final day of Samson's life, had it occur in one place with a messenger arriving to report the tragic denouement at the Philistine temple, and made use of a Chorus as a commentator on the action. So, we understand that option (3) is the correct answer. ​

  •  Milton's 1673 Poems, formally titled Poems etc. on several occasions by Mr John Milton, both English and Latin, composed at several times, etc. includes all the poems in Milton's 1645 Poems. In addition it includes a few poems written before 1645 but not published in the earlier book, and a number of poems written after 1645. This is the last volume of poetry issued by Milton before his death. 
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