On His Blindness By John Milton
On His Blindness By John Milton : Critical Appreciation
Introduction :
The Sonnet entitled : On His Blindness” is written by John Milton. It is an autobiographical sonnet and shows the personality and character of the bling poet Milton who became blind at the age of 44 years in 1652.
He thought that he would not be able to make use of the talent of writing poetry given to him by God. God would be angry with him when he would go before him after death. But, he was helpless as he had become blind. Thus, Poet presents his sadness and helplessness in this poem.
Theme :
This sonnet expresses Milton’s sense of loss of his eye sight. he had become blind in 1652. It was great problem for him. The first eight lines of Octave expresses his mood of gloom and the last six lines of Sestet brings it conclusion. He finds a solution that those persons who have firm faith in God and surrender their life to God. These People are God’s best Servants.
Subject Matter :
On His Blindness is one of the finest sonnets written by john Milton, the great poet of England. This Sonnet is an autobiographical Poem. Poet had lost his eye sight at the age of 44 years .
He felt sorrow very much because he could not write any poetry in praise of his creator. This sonnet presents the feelings of john milton in a beautiful manner.
He expected to live a long life. but, he feels sadness at the loss of his eyesight. He thinks that he has to live more than half of his life. There is nothing but darkness in atmosphere. So, he feels helplessness in this world.
When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
Word Meaning and Explanation :
- My Light : My Eye Sight – आँखों की देखने की शक्ति
- Is Spent : is finished – समाप्त हो गयी है
- Ere : before – पहले
- Half my days : half span of my life – मेरा आधा जीवन
- Dark World and Wide : Dark and gloomy world – अंधकारमय एवं निराशापूर्ण संसार
he says that his poetic talent is useless because he cannot use it due to his blindness. God will be angry with him.
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, lest he returning chide,
Word Meaning and Explanation :
- Talent : Quality of Writing Poetry – कविता लिखने की प्रतिभा
- Whics is death to hide : to Kill or finish his quality of composing poetry – कविता लिखने की योग्यता समाप्त हो जाना
- Lodged : Kept – रखा है
- More Bent : Very eager and anxious – बहुत उत्सुक और चिंतित
- To serve therewith : Serve good poetry in Praise of God – भगवान की स्तुति में अच्छी कविता परोसना
- My Maker : My Almighty God – मेरे सर्वशक्तिमान ईश्वर
- Chide : Snub or reproach – फटकारना
Poet asks a question that God needs full work from a man who has become blind form a man who has become blind.
“Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”
Word Meaning and Explanation :
- Exact : Take by force – बल से लेना
- Day Labour : Hard Work in Light of Day – दिन के उजाले में कठिन परिश्रम
Soon, Milton realises that this is a foolish question. God wants a full faith in him without any question. God is unmindful if one give him active service or not. he does not care if the talent which he has given to man, is not used by him. He wants only complete surrender of man to him.
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
Word Meaning and Explanation :
- Fondly : Foolishness – मूर्खता
- That Murmur : the complaining of poet – कवि की शिकायत
- Doth not need : Does not require – जरूरत नहीं
Milton believes that God is like a king. He has thousands of angels to serve him all the time.
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o’er land and ocean without rest:
Word Meaning and Explanation :
- Bear his mild yoke : bear all sufferings of life – जीवन के सभी कष्टों को सहन करना
- His State : The Kingdom of God – ईश्वर का साम्राज्य
- Is kingly : is rich and splendid – समृद्ध और शानदार है
- Thousands : a large number of Angels – परियों का समूह
- Bidding : Command – आदेश
- Speed : travel rapidly – तेजी से यात्रा करना
- Post over : Pass over fastly – जल्दी से गुजरना
He finds that God did not need man’s service nor the return of his gift. he knows that he can serve God by patiently bearing his mild yoke.
Thus, His problem comes to solution that God would chide him because he did not use the talent which is given by God. He learns that they are good servants of God who pray to him in silence and wait for his mercy.
They also serve who only stand and wait.”
Word Meaning and Explanation :
- Serve : Service to God – भगवान की सेवा
- Stand and wait : Stand and wait patiently for God’s Mercy – भगवान की दया के लिए धैर्य से खड़ा रहना और प्रतीक्षा करना
Autobiographical Sonnet :
This sonnet is an autobiographical sonnet. Milton expresses his views. This sonnet reveals the conflict in his mind. He finds no interest in life without making use of his poetic talent. he fears that God will rebuke him for neglecting his duties.
Milton’s philosophy :
Milton had great and firm faith in God. To please God, It is not necessary that we should do some work for him. The best service to God is to accept his will patiently. This sonnet suggest a sense how God can be best served and pleased.
Structure :
This Poem ia in Miltonic form. Its rhyme scheme is ABBA, ABBA , CDE, CDE. The first eight lines are Octave and last six lines are Sestet. In first Octave, Milton Presents his problem and in Sestet, He comes to solution.
Conclusion :
Thus, This sonnet is a famous poem in which milton shows his great faith in God and his religious attitude. This sonnet gives a divinge message to the suffering manking. Such thoughts, Such noble ideas are not found anywhere in the entire range of english poetry.
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