On
His Blindness
John
Milton’s “On His Blindness” is an
autobiographical sonnet in which the poet meditates on his own loss of sight. The
loss of sight metaphorically means inner sight and the loss of it.
Milton
compares his vision to be like treasure which has been lying with him unused.
‘That one talent which is Death to hide’ is a reference to the Parable “The
talents from Mathews”. The poet also expresses his desire to be able to use his
poetic skills at the service of God. A bent soul is a metaphor to express the
eagerness of the soul to serve God constantly.
Milton is frustrated that his lack of sight is
preventing him from serving God. The poet’s 'true account' refers to his religious
poetry. He considers it a serious duty to write poetry in praise of God since
he is gifted with the skill of writing poetry. This passage is a reference to
the Judgment day in which every human soul will be resurrected to be rewarded
or punished based on the good deeds and sins.
Milton
wonders if God still expects him to keep writing without his sight. Then he
concludes that God is more forgiving and He would not expect anything. In fact,
God does not need man’s praise since thousands of angels are at his
service. But it is the responsibility of
the man to serve Him. Duty and submissiveness
are the need of the hour. One must not lose patience. Instead one must accept pain
and suffering and surrender to God. The poet is also convinced that his
blindness and the wait is a way to serve Him.
This
sonnet is written in the “Petrarchan” rhyme – abba, abba, cde, cde.
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