On his blindness by john milton line by line explanation. On His Blindness: Summary, Theme & Analysis 2022-12-15
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"On His Blindness" is a sonnet written by John Milton, one of the greatest English poets and a major figure in the history of English literature. The sonnet is a meditation on Milton's own physical blindness, which he experienced later in life, and his struggle to come to terms with this disability.
The sonnet begins with Milton addressing God, asking why he has been "denied" the "light of [his] eyes" (line 1). This line establishes the theme of the sonnet: Milton's frustration and sense of loss at being blind. The phrase "light of [his] eyes" also suggests that Milton views his eyesight as a source of joy and enlightenment, something that has been taken away from him.
In the second quatrain, Milton reflects on his own limitations and the ways in which his blindness has affected his life. He describes himself as "darkened," suggesting that his blindness has cast a shadow over his entire being (line 5). He also speaks of his "day" being "frosty" and "bald" (lines 7-8), implying that his life has lost some of its warmth and vitality since losing his sight.
Despite these feelings of despair and frustration, however, Milton does not give up hope. In the third quatrain, he asserts that he will continue to serve God and do His will, even if it means living "patiently" and "despising" the "despised change" of his blindness (lines 9-10). This line suggests that Milton is resigned to his disability and has learned to accept it, even if it means living a less fulfilling life.
In the final couplet, Milton expresses his faith in God and his belief that everything happens for a reason. He tells God that he trusts in His "eternal providence" and that he knows that his blindness is "part of this good plan" (lines 11-12). This final stanza suggests that Milton has found some comfort in the idea that his blindness is part of a larger, divine plan, and that God has a purpose for everything that happens in his life.
Overall, "On His Blindness" is a powerful and moving reflection on the human experience of disability and the struggle to come to terms with limitations. Through the use of vivid imagery and honest self-examination, Milton captures the complex and often conflicting emotions that come with living with a physical disability. Despite the challenges he faces, however, he ultimately affirms his faith in God and his belief that everything happens for a reason.
On His Blindness by John Milton
At the end of the poem, he gets the response he's been looking for, that God is happiest when people are obedient and do the best they can. This made his life difficult and hard. He sincerely intends to serve God with that poetic genius. But Patience, to prevent In these lines, the lament of poets turns into desire and wonder. He was a deeply religious English poet. Thus, His problem comes to solution that God would chide him because he did not use the talent which is given by God. The sonnet is, therefore, a typical Petrarchan sonnet in form, but in material.
Thomas Carlyle A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best; but what he has said or done otherwise, shall give him no peace. The poet struggles with the fact that he is no longer able to see. Milton supported Cromwell and became very politically active. Patience replies to the speaker given his patience with his blindness is lacking. So, he is reminded of the third servant in the Parable of Talents. There is nothing but darkness in atmosphere. This sonnet gives a divinge message to the suffering manking.
On his Blindness summary : Line By Line by John Milton
In the sestet, it is accepting and gentle. He maintains that the best thing is for one to resign to the will of God. That is why it is called, "On his blindness", rather than " On my blindness. The poet uses a metaphor to refer to his eyesight. STANZA 3: Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best.
Can you please explain each line in "On His Blindness" by John Milton?
The world has grown big as those who were near to him have gone distant. When I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days in this dark And that one Lodg'd with me useless, To My true account, lest he "Doth God I That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need Either man's work or his own gifts: who best Bear his mild yoke, they Is kingly; And post o'er land and They also I can relate to this Poem, because, as a child, the Drs predicted that I'd be blind by age 19. Look at the structure of the poem and see how he uses language to express this idea. This poem is written in the first person; hence we can assume that the speaker of the poem is the poet himself. Milton draws upon the As it turns out, Milton need not have worried. This poem would serve as his legacy and be considered among the greatest poems ever written. To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest He returning chide, 'Doth God exact day-labour, light denied? His heart is kind and merciful.
On His Blindness Poem Summary & Line By Line Explanation UP Board Class 12 • English Summary
The poet or speaker describes his problem in the octave in one long sentence that ends in the middle of line 8. How does this poem make you feel? The octave rhymes abba. He realises there are other ways to serve God. He asks himself whether God would ask what he had done. John Milton's poem 'On His Blindness' reflects the tragedy and frustration of the author's eyesight impairment and the ensuing battle with losing and eventually restoring his faith. It removes his doubt regarding the justice of God. They also please God with their devotion and service while standing and waiting pleasure.
Explain the last line of the poem "On His Blindness."
Essentially, those who give over their lives to God and accept that he is in control of their fate are loved best. Prayer in silence complete resignation and dedication and submission to the will of God without any complaint indicate the true and real service of God. They can cross seas and run on the land even with the speed of his command on Therefore, He needs no service from human beings. T he power of humans to reason, they believed, linked them to God and distinguished them from animals. He has nothing to worry about: They also serve those who only stand and wait. For patience, God is happiest when mankind is able to spread God's word over "land and ocean without rest. Subject Matter : On His Blindness is one of the finest sonnets written by john Milton, the great poet of England.
Sonnet 19: (On His Blindness) 'When I consider...'
He's upset about wasting "that one Talent which is death to hide" line 3 , which is a biblical reference to the parable of the talents Matthew 25: 14-30 , in which two people invest their talents in the story, 'talents' are money , while another just hides his talent in a hole and is punished. But his late-night reading and writing on behalf of the govt of the short-lived English Republic. The servant had not used the coin given by his master. He is now meek and surrenders himself before his Maker. It's almost like Milton realizes that while he's writing that people can serve God in many different ways. WHEN I consider how my light is spent, The speaker is reflecting upon how his light sight has been used over his life. But it is obviously a matter of the utmost importance.
Since the fourteen lines of this sonnet are not divided into stanzas, they are divided into meaningful segments for this summary to make the poem easier to follow and understand. The poet also talks about the Biblical parable of the Talents and also uses it to illustrate more on the issue of rendering quality services to God. For life without intellectual or spiritual activity is animal-like. In his later life, there was a civil war in England between King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell and his supporters, who wanted England to become a republic. This is a mild rebuke to Milton for worrying over the potentially negative impact of his blindness on his ability to serve God.
