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On His Blindness

POET: John Milton (1608 – 1674) TYPE: Petrarchan/Italian Sonnet THEME: Accepting one’s fate with calm patient resignation. On His Blindness. Sonnet 19: On His Blindness. When I consider how my light is spent, Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,

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On His Blindness

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  1. POET: John Milton (1608 – 1674) TYPE: Petrarchan/Italian Sonnet THEME: Accepting one’s fate with calm patient resignation. On His Blindness

  2. Sonnet 19: On His Blindness When I consider how my light is spent, Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, and that one talent which is death to hide Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest he returning chide, "Doth God exact day-labour, light denied"? 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 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: They also serve who only stand and wait."

  3. Line 1 When I consider how my light is spent, contemplate/ reflect on/think about Lamp Talent Eyesight Life Used up Light is a metaphor!

  4. Inversion: • Rhyme • To emphasize his despair and loneliness Line 2 Ere half my days in this dark world and wide before Alliteration: Links the two words to emphasize the insecurity of his world. Half of his expected lifespan

  5. Poetic genius Line 3 coin God-given faculty and that one talent which is death to hide Allusion Math 25: 14 – 30 The poet reverses the parable: He wants to use his talent. It is a sin to hide one’s talents – punishable by death!

  6. Reflects a tone of bitterness Line 4 & 5 Inner self Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent His talent is worthless More determined than ever. To serve therewith my Maker, and present To use his talent Sign of reverence

  7. JudgementDay Line 6 Report on or give an account of what you did with your talents My true account, lest He returning chide In case honest Scold / reprimand /punish

  8. Line 7 When you can’t see A full day’s work. does “Doth God exact day-labour light denied?” • Lay claim • Expect • Get by force Does God demand a full day’s work even if you are blind?

  9. semi-colon Indicates a change in tone from a mood of bitter frustration to a mood of submission. His faith prevails Line 8 I fondly ask ; Foolishly Has a positive connotation Patience to prevent Personification: His own ability to be patient (a Christian virtue) is personified

  10. Line 9 & 10 Complaining – the word proves that his question is not explosive. That murmur, soon replies, Patience is speaking here! “God does not need Either man’s work or his own gifts; God is self-sufficient He does not need our work or the talents which he gave us

  11. Line 10 & 11 Carved wooden bar used as a harness Never too heavy! who best Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. You can also serve God by accepting the burdens placed on you. The burdens that God places upon us. carry accept

  12. Line 11 & 12 His state Is kingly : These lines emphasize God’s majesty or greatness. Colon: Introduces an explanation Why is God so Majestic?

  13. Meiosis: the number is presented less than it really is. Line 12 & 13 order elision Thousands at his bidding speed And post o’er land and ocean without rest: Travel at great speeds(across land and sea) – rush to do God’s will.

  14. Allusion: James 5:11 “Wait with constant loyalty and faith.” Line 14 They also serve who only stand and wait.” Disabled persons are equally important – each person has a place in life. Everyone has a purpose.

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