On His Blindness

On His Blindness Summary by John Milton

Introduction

John Milton (9 December 1608 – 8 November 1674) was an English poet and intellectual who served as a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under its Council of State and later under Oliver Cromwell. He wrote at a time of religious flux and political upheaval, and is best known for his epic poem

The poem On His Blindness is an autobiographical sonnet in which he expresses his feelings as a blind person. 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 his job caused him to lose his sight. In the end, he is assured that he is serving God like the angels who just wait for the orders of God. The poem has a number of Biblical references that depict Milton’s stern belief in God. The poem is written on the Petrarchan rhyme scheme.

 

Theme

On His Blindness is a poem in which Milton reflects on his faith as he is turning blind. 'On His Blindness' centers on Milton's faith in God as he is losing his sight. The poem is a sonnet that uses figurative language to express Milton's fear, frustration, and acceptance.

 

On His Blindness Summary 

Stanza 1

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 eyesight and so his other half-life is dark now and wide i.e. challenging as well.

The one talent (of writing) which he had, is useless now because without eyesight he cannot write. Thus it is just a load 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 eyesight he cannot use it.

Stanza 2

In these lines, the lament of poets turns into desire and wonder.  He says 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 says that this foolish thought often haunts him.

 

Stanza 3

In these lines, 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 content with what he has is most liked by Him.

 

God has a 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 the 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 of 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.

 

Poem

On His Blindness by John Milton

WHEN I consider how my light is spent 
E’re 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, least he returning chide, 
Doth God exact day-labour, light deny’d, 
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 milde yoak, they serve him best, his State 
Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed 
And post o’re Land and Ocean without rest: 
They also serve who only stand and waite.