24/08/2021
ON HIS BLINDNESS”
By: John Milton
CRITICAL APPRECIATION
Introduction:
The poem “On His Blindness” is an autobiographical sonnet in which John Milton expresses his feelings as a blind person. He is the greatest Epic writer in English and has written “Paradise Lost” and “Paradise Regain” He has a number of poems to his credit.
The sonnet “On His Blindness” is perhaps one of the best and most popular of Milton’s sonnets. It is indeed a pearl in the ocean of English literature. It is a great sonnet of lofty tone and noble theme. It was written in 1655. Milton had started losing his eyesight from the year 1645. After some years he lost his eyesight completely. He was about 44 years at that time, when we remember that his great words “Paradise Lost” and “Samson Agonists” has not yet been written.
Strength of mind, power of will and determination, patience; all these traits stood him in good stead when blindness slowly came over his. What made him so sad was that the gist of poetry which had been given to him could not be used to advantage when he was suffering from blindness.
Here Milton bows down in humble submission to the will of God. The tone of patience and humility has perfectly mingled with that of great dignity. The poem is a human document, a revelation of the struggle in Milton’s own soul. It starts with a note of regret. Then there is a mood of doubt and questioning which however melts in the final attitude of complete resignation. The beauty and exaltation of moral feeling raise the poem to a great height. The poem is full of allusions to the bible.
The extreme simplicity of the language is its peculiar attractive. Two lines are wholly, several others are nearly, monosyllabic. It is a sonnet of Petrarchan type. But there is no division between the octave and the sestet-which is the characteristic of Italian or Petrarchan sonnet. There is a break in the middle of the eighth line.
The poet’s subsequent submission charms the readers. The monologue is simply fascinating. The league used is both easy and catchy. The metre, note and cadence is perfect.
The first thought of the poet as he lost his eye sight:
The poet thinks, in the beginning, that he will not be able to serve God as his sight is gone. As the poem develops, he begins to believe that God wants him to keep working, in spite of the fact that he lost his sight.
The poet starts the poem with ‘When’ thus he introduces his idea in the very beginning. According to him, he often thinks that half of his life or sight or intelligence has been spent in serving humanity, but now he has lost his eye sight and so his other half life is dark now and wide i.e. challenging as well.
Repentance for not making use of his talent:
The one talent (of writing) which he had, is useless now because without eyesight he cannot write. Thus, he believes that it’s the curse from the God that has been bestowed on him. The poet laments over the loss of his eyesight and wonders what this talent means for him now as without eye sight he cannot use it.
The sudden reconciliation:
The lament of poets turns into desire and wonder. He sys that he desired to serve his maker but because of this blindness he cannot do so. He wonders if God still wants to serve him in spite of the fact that his sight is gone. The poet sys that this foolish thought often haunts him.
The Personification of Patience:
The poet says that when such foolish thoughts come into his mind, the patience at once comes to reply that the work of man does not please. God, but the who best bear his mild yoke i.e. The one who remains patient and contented with what he has is most liked by him. God has huge Kingdom and there are thousands of angels who remain in motion to carry God’s order. They never take rest. The poet compares them with those who have talent and use it to serve God.
On the other hand, there are some other angels also who serve him just by standing and waiting before God. According to him, their service is equally valuable to God as that of the first category angels. The poet compares himself with the later Angels who just keep patience. Thus in the end, the poet is quite satisfied as he is also serving God just by keeping patience.
Conclusion:
In the end, he is assured that he is serving God Like the angles who just wait for the orders of God. The poem has number of Biblical references that depict Milton’s stern belief in God.
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On His Blindness- Analysis Line by Line:
The poet reflects on his blindness. He has become blind in the middle of his life. He therefore cannot make proper use of his poetic talent which is spiritual death for him to hide. His soul is earnestly desirous of serving God with his own talent that God have given him. He wishes to render a true account of his powers to God. He is afraid that god will rebuke him for not using his power. (Lines 1-6)
He anxiously asks-Does God require of a blind man’s service? (Lines 7-8)
Patient thinking make the poet conclude that God needs neither the service of man nor an account of the gifts bestowed by Him on man. Those who resign themselves to the will of God serve Him best. (Lines 9-10)
od is invested with royal power. Thousands of angels fly swiftly over land and sea to do His bidding. Those who have faith in God and calmly submit to God’s powers also render him services. (Lines 11-14)
The word “talent” has been used in more senses than one. In the Bible concept it means a coin or more generally speaking money. When the master gives some money, it is his duty to make use of it and increase it. Figuratively talent is a quality and therefore wealth. In this sense even vision may be recorded as a talent. It is by using one’s vision that one can do a lot of things. Milton was a pious Christian. His devotion and dedication to God are evident in the poem.! # Copied! Thank you❤️