On His Blindness by John Milton

On His Blindness Poem by John Milton:

 

A Petrarchan sonnet ( a type of poem) written by John Milton in 1655. 

Relating the Poet ( John Milton) :

 John Milton was brought into the world in 1608. 

He is considered one of the best epic artists throughout the entire existence of English Literature. 

His most acclaimed work is his epic sonnet "Paradise Lost".

His other works are “Paradise Regained, the tragedy Samson Agonists”.

 ‘On his blindness’ is also his best-known sonnet which discloses his state of mind. 

This poem shows Milton’s feelings, his sorrows on the loss of his sight, and a way of consolation to himself.

 Background of the poem 'On His Blindness': 

 At the age of 48, when Milton started losing his eyesight, he felt afraid that he may not be able to write anymore. Thus he shared his doubts that how will he serve God and humanity as he cannot compose poetry anymore. In the start, he felt afraid and sorrowful for not being able to write but at the same time, he also learned that he must accept the will of God instead of questioning it.

  “On His Blindness” by John Milton Analysis: 

 The setting of the poem:

 The mind of the poet_the poem shows the state of his mind. 

 Tone: 

The tone of the poem ‘On His Blindness’ is of patience and humility.

 On His Blindness Narrative :

 On his Blindness is written in the primary or first-person pronoun. The poet is the narrative of the poem. 

 Mood: 

The mood of the poem is doubtful and questioning. The poem starts up with regrets, however, it ends with the submission to the will of God. 

 On His Blindness By John Milton Themes:

 The central idea of On His Blindness is Milton’s belief in God and his love for his writing. 

 The poem shows his fear of becoming blind and giving up on writing as well as the realization and acceptance of God’s will.

The primary subject or message of the sonnet is the worth of persistence and devotion to God.

 On His Blindness conveys to its readers a moral lesson of Patience.

'On His Blindness' Summary:

At the start of the poem " On His Blindness", John Milton thinks awful because of losing his eyesight.

 

 He speaks that he has spent half of his life making a worthwhile use of his skill which is his writing power. But now he considers himself a useless person.

 

Consequently, he is worried about himself and how he will spend his remaining half-life. He assumes that as he cannot write anymore, his forthcoming half-life is very dull and depressing for him. He can not serve God through his composition. 

But later, he understands that the only thing he can do is have patience. He satisfies himself by saying that there are countless Angels who are standing before God all the time with patience.

 They always wait for the orders of God and in the way the Angels serve God through their obedience and patience.

The poet declares that the only thing he can do to attend to God is to live with patience and submission.