Heroic contradictions: Samson and the death of Turnus.(John Milton's 'Paradise Lost' and 'Samson Agonistes')(Critical essay)

At key moments in both of his epics, Milton seems to reject the type of heroism traditionally associated with the epic genre. In Paradise Lost 9 he dismisses tales that glorify destructive passions such as:

 
  the wrauth 
  Of stern Achilles on his Foe pursu'd 
  Thrice Fugitive about Troy Wall; or rage 
  Of Turnus for Lavinia disespous'd .... (14-17) (1) 

His epic will celebrate instead "the better fortitude / Of Patience and Heroic Martyrdom" (9, 31-32). In Paradise Regain'd, the Son similarly claims

 
  They err who count it glorious to subdue 
  By Conquest far and wide, to over-run 
  Large Countries, and in field great Battels win, 
  But rob and spoil, burn, slaughter, and enslave 
  Peaceable Nations .... (3, 71-76) 

True glory is achieved only "By deeds of peace, by wisdom eminent, / By patience, temperance" (91-92). The Son admits that he went through a stage when "victorious deeds / Flam'd in my heart, heroic acts ...." (1,215-16). But this was a youthful phase, which he left behind as he matured and realized that it was "more humane, more heavenly first / By winning words to conquer willing hearts, / And make perswasion do the work of fear" (1,221-23). In Paradise Lost, it is Satan who plays the part of the conventional epic hero, which the Son rejects for a higher form of heroism. (2) While the War in Heaven was fought in the old classical heroic mode, the apocalyptic battle between good and evil will take a more spiritual form. As Michael (himself a fierce warrior in book 6) tells Adam, the final conquest will be achieved not through a big bashout "Duel" (12,387) but "by obedience and by love"(403).