Caucasus Journal of Milton Studies

John Milton’s Samson Agonistes : An Allegorical Self-Portrait of Milton after the Restoration

Edward R. Raupp — 2024-09-30

John Milton’s Samson Agonistes is an allegory with similarities between the biblical character of Samson and Milton’s personal experiences during the tumultuous Restoration period. Samson is Milton’s avatar, the image of himself existing both physically and metaphorically in the person of Samson, the Israelite judge and renowned hero of Hebrew mythology. At the same time, Milton navigated through the themes of oppression, blindness, and the ultimate victory over adversaries comparable to the return of King Charles II and the Restoration monarchy. Samson Agonistes is an allegory featuring the commonalities of the biblical journey of Samson and Milton’s real-life experiences during the Restoration. We examined how Milton physically and metaphorically showed his likeness to Samson. The allegorical and symbolic relations between Samson and Milton are mighty and multifaceted. Both characters appear to be entirely directed by some divine plan, where Samson’s physical conflicts with the Philistines emulate Milton’s philosophical and spiritual struggle against political and religious oppression. Temptation, weakness, and repentance are the main issues in their stories, showing both the character and spiritual duels they must go through. Moreover, Samson’s character, as Milton’s embodiment of blindness, is the vehicle through which the writer achieves his most profound insight, which is, of course, the idea that the human frailty that they both share is the main theme in both epics. Milton’s major exploration includes how his loss of vision and the overcoming of difficulties contributed to Samson’s storyline, which ends the play with the acts of redemption that demonstrate their invincible will. Milton’s literary tenacity, despite the tragedy of his blindness, mirrors Samson’s final act of strength and destruction, which constitutes the indisputable commitment to the causes they defend. Ultimately, Samson Agonistes is a dramatic retelling of a biblical story. At the same time, it is a highly personal allegory telling Milton’s story of self-devotion, penitence, and steadfast adherence to principle amid seemingly unconquerable adversity.

A Literary Approach to Grammar: Teaching Complex Sentence Structures Using Milton’s Samson Agonistes

Tedo Sharadenidze — 2024-09-30

This paper investigates how to teach students of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) complex sentence structures through the use of literary texts, particularly drama, with a focus on Milton’s Samson Agonistes. The study explores how students’ understanding, and application of periodic, loose, and antithetical sentences are improved through creative writing, enabled by the inductive test-teach-test method. Students’ abilities to recognize and create complex sentences have significantly improved, according to pre-and posttest results as well as qualitative surveys. According to the research, drama can help improve language proficiency while also encouraging critical thinking and creativity.

Reflections on Jonathan Swift’s A Tale of a Tub

George Shaduri — 2024-09-30

Jonathan Swift’s <i>A Tale of a Tub</i> is the first renowned work by the famous author. In it, Swift allegorically treats the story of the Reformation from the ‘Anglican’ point of view. Along with the accepted reading of the work, this study suggests a new, non-traditional perspective. For example, we can speculate on whether Swift could have chosen two main characters instead of three, and how that could have influenced the work. Would that have enhanced the ‘Protestant’ idea of the Tale? The figure of the Father in <i>A Tale of a Tub</i> is ambiguous. Did Swift mean the God himself as often considered by the work’s critics? Or, if the three brothers personify three branches of Christianity, could the Father figure imply also a religious denomination, acting as a source for the others? Is Swift aware of that, and, if not, could it lead to a new insight, shedding light on the nature of the conflict discussed in the story? The present article attempts to answer these questions.

A Poem – Earthfall

Eter Churadze — 2024-09-30

Titsian Tabidze
A Poem – Earthfall
Translated from Georgian to English by Eter Churadze

WORDS NEVER SPOKEN

Tedo Sharadenidze — 2024-09-30

WORDS NEVER SPOKEN
Tedo Sharadenidze

FLICKERING LIGHT

Johanna Ataman — 2024-09-30

FLICKERING LIGHT
Johanna Ataman

OPPOSITE OF MARS

Eliso Khatridze — 2024-09-30

OPPOSITE OF MARS
Eliso Khatridze

PLUTO

Eliso Khatridze — 2024-09-30

PLUTO
Eliso Khatridze

Ares: A Poem, Books VIII and IX

Edward R. Raupp — 2024-09-30

Ares: A Poem
Books VIII and IX

BECOMING LIGHTNING

Elnaz Shahnavazi — 2024-09-30

BECOMING LIGHTNING
Elnaz Shahnavazi

HUNTERS

Elnaz Shahnavazi — 2024-09-30

HUNTERS
Elnaz Shahnavazi

Kartvelian and Sumerian Language Similarities

Edward R. Raupp — 2024-09-30

Kartvelian and Sumerian Language Similarities
Anna Meskhi, Ph.D.
Publishing House Mcignobari, Ltd., 2011. Pp. 140.
Reviewed by Edward R. Raupp

An Essay on Navigating Change in the Post-Soviet Educational Systems

Edward R. Raupp — 2024-09-30

Born and raised in Philadelphia, a city where rationality, diversity, and skepticism abound, the expectations of my world have been significantly influenced by this environment. My upbringing has emphasized questioning to understand and evaluate,
to seek clarification if confused, and to speak out against wrongs that are ethical, moral, and practical. Now, as a teacher in post-Soviet Georgia, I am faced with a radically different reality. The ghost of Soviet command and control still haunts these shores, complicating every worthwhile change I want to effect for the benefit of my students. In this essay, I will critically analyze the problems of effecting
change in this environment and explore solutions for treading this tightrope, with an optimistic vision for the future.

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