On His Blindness by Milton..Summary & Analysis
Summary
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| On His Blindness by John Milton |
The famous poem "On His Blindness" is one of the best poems composed by John Milton. It is in the form of a sonnet written over the loss of his eyesight at the early age of 44. It is also considered his personal sonnet. It was first published in his "1673 Poems". Milton was a thoughtful and hardworking person. He played an important role in the civil war. He was a big supporter of Cromwell. As a poet and supporter of Cromwell, he wrote many pamphlets to educate people. But unfortunately, he lost his eyesight at the early age of 44. Therefore his literary career was almost destroyed.
The poet was very sad after the loss of his eyesight at an important age. He did not know how to use his poetic talent without his eyesight. Thus the poem "On His Blindness" is a sort of lamentation over the loss of his eyesight at the early age of 44. The poet was shocked when he saw the world in the dark. He was very depressed at the loss of his eyesight. Thus the poem was composed by the poet after the loss of his eyesight. He expresses his feelings at the loss of his eyesight in this poem. The poet wants to use his poetic talent in the service of God but he does not know how to use it.
The poet asks himself if the god need service from human beings but very soon he replies himself that God need not any type of service from human beings. As there are thousands of angels present in his service. The subject matter of the poem is sublime and diction is of high quality. In the first six lines, the poet complains for the injustice of God but in the next five lines he changes his thought and surrenders himself in the service of God. There is no pause at the end of either the first stanza or the eighth line. The rhyme scheme of the poem is abba, abba, cdc, cdc. It has 14 lines. The poem has the seriousness of thought.
Analysis ----
When I consider--------------------returning chide
Stanza--1
In this stanza, the poet expresses his sorrow over the loss of his eyesight at early age of 44. The poet has deprived of his eyesight before spending half of his life. He blames God for the injustice of God towards him. The poet says that now he can not use his poetic talent properly without his eyesight. He wants to use his poetic talent in the service of God. But God has deprived him of the opportunity of using his poetic gifts properly.
Therefore he is sad. The poet is also sad when he thinks about the dark world. According to the poet if his poetic talent remains unused it would be like spiritual death for him. He can not hide his poetic talent. Thus to save himself from poetic death he is very excited to use his poetic talent in the service of God. He says that he wants to present before God his truthful account of his works but he is not able to perform his duties well without his eyesight.
Stanza--2
Doth God --------------serve Him best.
In this stanza, the poet changes his thought for God. He asks himself if God requires him to work without his eyesight. But at the very moment, his inner voice answers him that God does not want the use of gifts given by him. He only wants faithfulness and obedience from his people. The poet further says that God loves those who carry out his orders and suffer the burden of life without any complaint. They are his best servants.
Stanza--3
Is kingly;----------------only stand and wait
In this stanza, the poet justifies the ways of God. He says that God does not require work from anyone. He is present everywhere. He is the master of this world. Thousands of angels are present at his service every moment. They wait for his command peacefully. His faithful angels listen to his command patiently and move about in heaven and on earth to complete his orders. They always are ready for his command. Therefore God doesn't need any service from human beings.
He is too powerful to do his works. The poet further says that the people who suffer the problems of life peacefully also serve him better and those who stand at his gate for his command patiently and wait for their turn also serve him. They are rewarded by God. Thus the poem has a personal note. The poem has a universal appeal. It has grand style and serious thought. The biblical allusions are used in the poem artistically. The poet expresses his feelings in the poem remarkably.
