Introduction
John Milton, the famous English Poet was blinded at the age of approximately 44 years. This poem “On his blindness” or ‘When I consider how my light is spent’ was written in between 1652-1655 when Milton was totally blinded. It is about blindness of Milton and his self-doubt of not able to contribute in service of God through his gift of poetry. This poem is a pearl in the ocean of English literature. It is considered among finest of Milton’s poetry.
Central Idea
John Milton was one of the greatest poets in English. In this sonnet “On his blindness” Milton displays his philosophy of life. He thought that this gift of poetry writing which has been given by the God to him is left unused now, as he is not able to write poetry hereafter. He thinks that God would punish him for not able to serve him. In the end he gets answers of his doubts that submission to God is also a service and those who silently bear judgements of God without complaints also serve him equally.
Themes
- Obedience towards God- The main theme of the poem is to be obedient towards God, never doubt his judgements and silently bear every torment in life. Milton after getting blinded starts complaining that how would he write poetry now? This doubt gets cleared by self-analysis and he comes to the conclusion that those who stand and wait also serves the God.
- Spirituality- Poem has a special theme of spirituality in life. Human considers that there is a supreme power above its existence i.e. God in front of whom everyone is answerable after life for his deeds. Milton is apprehensive of the same as his blindness has stopped him from serving the God in form of his poetry; a talent given by God to him.
- Frailty of Human body- Human body is susceptible to various weaknesses. It may fall prey to many infirmities. Such was the scene with Milton who got blinded in middle age.
Figure of Speech
- Personification- Patience is personified when it is said that ‘Patience, to prevent that murmur’. Even Death is also personified in line ‘And that one talent that Death to hide’.
- Enjambment- When a sentence/thought remains incomplete at the end of a line of poem and is completed in next line or lines is called Enjambment. Such as- “And that one Talent which is death to hide” / “Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent” / “They also serve who only stand and wait.”
- Metaphor- In the very first line of the poem ‘light’ has double meaning i.e. ability to see and life. Hence it is a metaphor used for ‘Life’ too.
- Consonance – In the second line of the poem ‘World and wide’ words have consonance as repetition of consonant /w/ is succeeded by change of vowels.
- Rhetorical Question- “Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”. It has rhetorical question as the question is not asked to get information. But it is used to achieve a greater expressive force. It has its own answer.
- Assonance- Repetition of vowel /O/ in line “And post o’er Land and Ocean without rest” has assonance.
Autobiographical
The poem is autobiographical in nature. Poet has explained his mental and physical state after getting blind. His pessimism towards life after blindness is evident in first half of the poem. Poet has presented that situation and doubts rose in perspective of using that poetry writing talent. But it is well known that his greatest writing Paradise Lost was written in complete blindness. Hence in second half of this poem ‘optimism’ comes out from the conscience towards life and its hurdles and he accepts his condition.
Religious elements
We can see this poem from religious perspective too. Milton entered into the phase of self-doubt and value of his existence. He thought that God would be disappointed in him as he wouldn’t be able to serve him through his talent. This tussle in the mind comes to end when he gets an inner voice to tell him that those who stand and wait also serve the God equally. Hence Milton’s fear of judgement day after life heightened religious theme.
Elements of Colonialism
In the last few lines of the poem, Milton proudly acknowledged the vast empire of Britain in those times. He writes:
“His state Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed
And post o’er Land and Ocean without rest”
Milton is expressing his thoughts that Britain under vigilance of God has thousands of the Britishers and people under them over land and ocean wherever their colonies exist are serving God. They are spreading Christianity and its principals and this is considered as service by Milton. Hence he is supporting the act of capturing colonies and spreading British Empire.
Structure and Rhyme scheme
On his blindness is a Miltonic sonnet written in Petrarchan manner. It is not strictly divided into octave and sestet. But similar to other Milton’s poems it states a problem at the onset of the poem and solution comes at the later part of the poem. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBAABBA CDECDE.
Andrew Marvell : Critical Appreciation of ‘The Garden’ – http://ourguruji.in/2023/12/12/critical-appreciation-of-garden-andrew-marvell/
Ben Jonson : Critical Appreciation of ‘The Noble Nature’ – http://ourguruji.in/2023/12/16/critical-appreciation-of-the-noble-nature-ben-jonson/
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