Milton the Dramatist

Contents

CONTENTS Acknowledgments viii Introduction ix ONE Milton as Spectator, Reader, and Editor of Drama 1 TWO Mastering Masque, Engaging Drama: Arcades and Comus 39 THREE Problem-Solving in Milton’s Biblical Drama Sketches 67 FOUR Theatrical Spectacle in Samson Agonistes: Implications for the Terrorism Controversy and Other Interpretive Disputes 95 FIVE Intended for the Stage? Samson Agonistes in Performance 151 SIX Conclusion: Milton’s Achievement as a Dramatist 165 Appendix: Stagings, Dramatic Readings, and Adaptations of Samson Agonistes 175 Notes 178 Index 200 vii ...