On his Blindness, Milton, Analysis & Summary

Overview: John Milton's "On His Blindness" is a petrarchan sonnet that reflects the poet's struggle with the loss of his eyesight. Milton was a renowned poet and author of the 17th century (See: Caroline Age), known for works such as "Paradise Lost" and "Paradise Regained." In this sonnet, Milton reflects on his own limitations and how his blindness has affected his ability to serve God through his writing. The poem is a meditation on the nature of God's grace and how it can be found even in the midst of personal suffering and loss.

On His Blindness: Sonnet Text

When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait."

Analysis of On His Blindness

John Milton, a renowned poet, wrote “On His Blindness” or “When I Consider How My Light Is Spent” in the year 1764 after he became completely blind. Milton devotedly served God throughout his life and believed that his writings were acts of religious devotion. The poem is written in Petrarchan style with the rhyming scheme of ABBA ABBA CDE CDE and iambic parameter.

The Fear of Not Being Able to Serve God
Milton expresses his fear of not being able to serve God in the same manner as he did when he was able to see. The lines, “When I consider how my light is spent / Ere half my days in this dark world and wide” refer to his previous life, which he metaphorically refers to as "light." He laments that he would not have the opportunity to serve God with his talent anymore. These lines signify that Milton’s life can be divided into two parts, the first part symbolized by “light” represents his previous 42 years before he became blind, and the second part, represented by “darkness,” is the remaining half of his life.

The Talent to Serve God
Milton possessed the talent of writing, and he considered it his duty to use this talent to serve God. He wanted to share his knowledge through his writings, which he believed was the best and effective method of teaching. The lines, “And that one talent which is death to hide / Lodg’d with me useless, though my soul more bent / To serve therewith my Maker, and present / My true account, lest he returning chide,” have religious significance as they refer to the “Parable of the Talents” in Matthew 25:14–30. Milton believed that he should not bury his talent but invest it by sharing his knowledge to fulfill his purpose of coming into this world.

The Question of God's Expectations
The lines, “Doth God exact day-labour, light denied? / I fondly ask,” represent Milton's worry that due to his blindness, he would not be able to continue his work. He asks if God expects more work from someone who has become blind, but soon, Patience replies, “God doth not need / Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best / Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state / Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed." This reply shows that God doesn't expect more than one can bear, and those who bear his mild yoke serve him best.

Conclusion
In conclusion, “On His Blindness” or “When I Consider How My Light Is Spent” is an expression of Milton's fear of not being able to serve God with his talent anymore. Milton believed that his writings were acts of religious devotion, and he used his talent of writing to share his knowledge and fulfill his purpose of serving God. Despite his blindness, Milton continued to believe that serving God was his duty and that he should not hide his talent.

Summary of On His Blindness

The speaker is reflecting on how he has spent his life.
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
Before reaching middle age in this vast and gloomy world. And that one talent which is death to hide,
The speaker has a talent, which if not used, would be a waste and bring death.
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
The talent is within the speaker but currently useless, despite his desire to use it.
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
The speaker wants to use his talent to serve and present his offerings to God. My true account, lest he returning chide,
The speaker wants to make sure he has something to show for his life when he meets God again, so as not to receive criticism.
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
The speaker questions whether God expects the same level of productivity and effort from him, even though he is now blind.
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
The speaker asks the question with respect and fondness, but then patience interjects.
That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need
Patience reminds the speaker that God doesn't actually need his labor or gifts.
Either man's work or his own gifts. Who best
God values the person who bears his mild yoke best, not necessarily the one who works the hardest or has the most talent.
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Those who serve God best are those who accept his gentle guidance and work within their limitations.
Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed,
God's power and rule is greater than any earthly king, and many will obey his commands.
And post o'er land and ocean without rest;
People will travel far and wide to serve God without stopping.
They also serve who only stand and wait."
The speaker concludes that even those who cannot actively serve God, like himself, can still be serving him through their patience and acceptance of their circumstances.

Stylistic Analysis

Milton's "On His Blindness" is a sonnet that displays a number of stylistic elements. Here are some of them:

Form: The poem follows the structure of a Petrarchan sonnet with an octave and a sestet. The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDC EDE, and the volta, or turn, occurs between the eighth and ninth lines.
Tone: The tone (related: 10 types of tone) of the poem is one of melancholy and resignation. The speaker is lamenting the loss of his sight and questioning his ability to serve God. However, there is also a sense of acceptance and a willingness to submit to God's will.
Imagery: Milton uses a number of images (related: Master the Art of Imagery) to convey his sense of loss and isolation. For example, he describes himself as "one talent" that has been "laid up" or buried in the ground. He also compares himself to a "useless" plant that has been "cut down" and is no longer able to produce fruit.
Allusion: The poem makes reference to the Parable of the Talents from the Bible, in which a master entrusts his servants with varying amounts of money and expects them to use it wisely. The servant who buries his talent is condemned, while the ones who invest it and make a profit are rewarded.
Syntax: Milton's syntax is often complex and employs inversion, such as in the opening line, "When I consider how my light is spent." This technique emphasizes certain words and ideas and gives the poem a more formal and elevated tone.
Overall, "On His Blindness" is a masterful example of Milton's skill as a poet, showcasing his ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through language and form.

Themes

The major themes of "On His Blindness" by John Milton are:

Acceptance: The poem explores the idea of accepting one's limitations and finding purpose despite them. The speaker accepts his blindness and wonders how he can serve God despite it.
Patience: The poem emphasizes the need for patience in times of difficulty. The speaker realizes that he must wait for God's plan to unfold and that he may not fully understand it in his lifetime.
Service: The poem explores the idea of service to God and how one can serve even with limitations. The speaker wonders if he can still serve God despite his blindness.
Redemption: The poem implies that even those with limitations can still find redemption through service and acceptance of their circumstances.
Faith: The poem emphasizes the importance of faith in times of difficulty. The speaker trusts that God has a plan for him, even though he cannot see it.