john milton- on his blindness

A detailed Summary of john milton- on his blindness


John Milton was born in 1608 to a Puritan family. During his service to the Commonwealth, in 1652, Milton became blind and it became necessary for others to share in his labors. His blindness occasioned one of the most moving of his sonnets, "On his blindness," written in 1655. It records his fear that he will never be able to use his God-given gift for poetry again. Yet God may demand an accounting of his righteousness. And his entry into Heaven will depend upon how well he has used the gifts that God gave him. The sonnet ends with Milton's acceptance of the fact that what God wants of him is obedience and resignation. He can then serve God even if he cannot write poetry, for "they also serve who only stand and wait."

The most effective of the personal sonnets is #19, usually called "On his blindness. "This allusion to his blindness is the first of many in his poetry.

When I consider how my light is spent

When I judge how my ability to see has been taken away

Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,

After I have only lived half of my life

And that one talent which is death to hide


Milton wonders, now that blindness has fallen upon him before half his working life is spent, whether God will still expect him to use his talent. Milton now says that with patience his murmur of spite against God, "Doth God..." will be avoided. And patience replies: God does not need men to serve Him nor to serenade Him, whoever carry His burdens without complaint, serve him finest.

To serve therewith my maker, and present My true account, lest He returning chide,



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Approximate Word count = 791
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: People

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