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" Every day we should hear at least one good song , read one good poem , see one exquisite picture , and , if possible , speak a few sensible words . " Johann Wolfgang von Goethe "

Friday 20 September 2013

' Samson and Delilah ' Gerrit van Honthorst (Dutch 1590-1656) Oil on canvas , circa 1615. Museum of Art, Cleveland .

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Samson single-handedly crushed the Philistine army . In turn , the Philistines bribed his lover, Delilah , to reveal Samson's source of strength ; his hair, uncut since birth. While Samson was asleep , Delilah signaled a waiting Philistine , who sheared the hero, rendering him helpless. Honthorst intensified the narrative by having Delilah cut Samson's hair herself . An old woman also warns us against waking him , which implicates the viewer in Samson's emasculation.

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