This document analyzes and compares two sonnets by John Milton: Sonnet VII and Sonnet XIX. Sonnet VII, written early in Milton's career when he was 23 years old, expresses frustration that time is passing quickly and he has accomplished little. Sonnet XIX, written later when Milton was blind, reflects on losing his sight and questions if God will still require his service without his eyesight. While Sonnet VII focuses on youth and time passing, Sonnet XIX deals with major problems like blindness. Both sonnets show Milton's deepening awareness of his situation and faith in God over the course of his career and life experiences.
Miltonâs On His Blindness: Eye Sight or Heart Vision - âŘŮŮ ŮŘľŮŘŻŘŠ Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ Ů٠ا...Al Baha University
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John Milton, in his Sonnet 16 'On his Blindness,' meditates on the disturbing effect blindness has had on his whole life and literary works. He compares his lost vision with 'light spent' and grieves not the handicap in itself but the restrictions it carries out on his work as a literary figure, particularly a poet. His poetic skill is significant to him that he describes it as that one talent,' signifying it is the only talent that is of importance.
This study is an attempt to analyze the concepts of blindness, sight, light, vision, and obedience with particular reference to his poem, sonnet 18 or 'On his blindness.' It starts with an introduction to John Milton as a poet. After that, it shifts to discuss the concept of Vision or Sight. Then, the study goes on to deal with the concept of obedience. Next, it sheds light on the concepts of Blindness and Light. Afterward, the task moves to close with a conclusion. In this paper, the researcher applies the critical-analytical approach.
Miltonâs Samson Agonistes: A Renaissance Image of Man - ٠سعŘŮŘŠ Ř´Ů Ř´Ů٠اŮŮŮŮستس...Al Baha University
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ŘŹŮŮ Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ Ůؚتبع شاؚعا اŮŘŤŘą Ů Ů ŮŮŮŮ Ůاتب ٠سعŘŮŘ ŮŮذا اŮسبب Ůا٠شؚع٠ŮŘŻ ا؎ذ ŘŮزا ŮبŮعا ٠٠اŮدعاس؊ ŮاŮŘŞŮ ŘŮŘľ ŮاŮŘŞŘŮŮŮ Ů/أ٠اŮŮŮŘŻ ŮŮŮ ŮŮ Ůؚء٠ذŮ٠اŮاŮت٠ا٠Ů٠٠سعŘŮŘŞŮŘ ŘŞŘاŮŮ Ůذ٠اŮدعاس؊ ŘĽŮŮاإ اŮŘśŮŘĄ ŘšŮŮ "سا٠سŮ٠اŮŮŮŮستس" ŮŮ ŮŮŘŞŮŮ Ů٠سعŘŮŘŠ ŘŁŮŘŤŘą Ů Ů ŮŮŮŮا ŮŘľŮŘŻŘŠ شؚعŮŘŠŘ Ř§Ůدعاس؊ تست؎د٠اŮŮŮŘŹ اŮŘŞŘŮŮŮŮ ŮاŮŮŮŘłŮŮ ŮاŮأدب٠ŮŘŁŘŘŻ أبعز اŮŘ´ŘŽŘľŮات اŮأدبŮŘŠ Ů٠اŮؚؾع اŮتءŮŮع٠اŮبŮŘąŮتاŮŮŘ ŘŹŮŮ Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ Ů٠سعŘŮŘŞŮ "سا٠سŮ٠اŮŮŮŮستس" ŮŘľŮع؊ ŘŁŮ Ů ŮŮŮ٠ع؏٠ؚؾع اŮŮŮ؜؊ اŮŘŞŮ ŮŘŤŮŘąŮŮ ŮŮسبŮ٠اعتباء Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ ŮŘŁŘŽŘą Ř´ŘŽŘľŮŘŠ ادبŮŘŠ ŮŮذا اŮŘšŘľŘąŘ ŮستŮ٠اŮبŘŘŤ ب٠ŮŘśŮŘš اŮ٠ؚعŮŘŠ â ŘłŮاإ اŮ٠ؚعŮŘŠ اŮس٠اŮŮŘŠ أ٠اŮبشعŮŘŠ (Ů Ů ŮŘŹŮŘŠ Ůظع Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ) Ůعد؊ Ůؚ٠اŮاŮسا٠ŮŮ٠ا ŮŘŞŘšŮ٠بتŮ٠اŮ٠ؚعŮŘŠŘ Ř§Ůدعاس؊ ŘŞŘاŮŮ ŮŮ ŮŘŻŮŮا ا٠تؤŮŘŻ Ůتبعز اŮŮŮا،ؾ اŮŮ ŘŁŮŮŮŘŠ ٠اŮŮاŮŘŞŘŠ ŮŮŮظع ٠؍٠اŮ٠ؚاŮا؊ ŮŘłŮŘĄ اŮŘŘ¸Ř Ř§ŮزŮŘŹŘŠ اŮŘşŮŘą Ů ŮŘ§ŘŚŮ ŘŠŘ Ř§ŮŮ ŮŮ ŘŠ اŮŮاشŮŘŠ ŮاŮŮعء؊ بŮŮ ŮŮ Ů Ů Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ Ůبء٠٠سعŘŮŘŞŮŘ "سا٠سŮŮ".
اŮدعاس؊ Ů٠ؚباع؊ ؚ٠ؚ٠ŮŮŘŠ تتبؚŮŮ Ůؚؾع "Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ" ŮŘŁŮŮاع٠اŮŮ ŘšŮŮس؊ Ů٠٠سعŘŮŘŞŮ " سا٠سŮ٠اŮŮŮŮستس"Ř ŘŞŘاŮ٠اŮدعاس؊ ŘĽŮŮاإ اŮŘśŮŘĄ ŘšŮŮ ŮŮŮŮŘŠ ŘŞŮظŮŮ Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ ŘŞŮŮŮات٠اŮأدبŮŘŠ اŮŮابغ؊ Ů٠اŮ٠سعŘŮŘŠ اŮشؚعŮŘŠ ŮŮŘŻ اŮŘŻŘąŘ§ŘłŘŠŘ ŘŞŘłŘŞŮ٠اŮدعاس؊ ب٠ŮŘŻŮ ŘŠ ٠تبŮؚ؊ باŮŮŮع؊ اŮŘŁŮŮŮ Ů ŮŮŮ٠ع؏٠ؚؾع اŮŮŮ؜؊ ؍٠تتءع٠اŮ٠٠ؚاŮŮŘŠ اŮ٠ؚاŮا؊ ŮŘłŮŘĄ اŮŘظ Ůبؚد Ř°ŮŮ Ůتبؚ بŮؾ٠Ů٠ع،Ůات Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ ŮŮس٠ŘŮ٠اŮ٠عأ؊ ŮŮŘŞŮŘŹŘŠ Ůبغ؜٠زŮ؏ت٠اŮŘŞŮ Ů٠تؚش Ů ŘšŮŘ Ů٠اŮŮس٠اŮتاŮ٠تتبؚ ŘŞŘŮŮŮŮ ŮŮ ŮاŮŮ٠اŮŮ ŮŮ ŘŠ اŮŮاشŮŘŠ ŮاŮ٠أز٠اŮŮ ŘľŮŘą ŮŮ Ř°ŮŮ Ů ŮŮŘŞŮ٠ؚ٠ŮŮس٠Ůبء٠٠سعŘŮŘŞŮ.
John Milton is a poet more than a dramatist, hence, his poetry is plentifully studied, examined, analyzed, and/or criticized but his drama is sparsely done. This study tries to shed light on Samson Agonistes as drama. It is an analytical, philosophical and literary approach of one important figure in The Puritan age, John Milton, and his play as an image of the Renaissance man. The study takes up the theme of knowledgeâdivine or human knowledge and manâs reaction apropos that. The current study tries in its aim to highlight the frequent remarkable demerits such as misfortunes and suffering, unfortunate wife, unsuccessful mission, and plight between Milton and Samson. It is a pursuing process for Milton's age, and thoughts reflected in his work, Samson Agonistes. The study also attempts to shed light on how Milton employs his genius literary techniques in this verse play. The study starts with an introduction followed by the concept of the Renaissance man. The paper deals with views of misfortunes and suffering thereafter, it depicts Miltonâs views concerning women as a result of his hatred to his wife. The research pursues analytically the concepts of ineffective mission, and plight imaged by Milton about himself and Samson, his main character of the play.
Miltonâs On His Blindness: Eye Sight or Heart Vision - âŘŮŮ ŮŘľŮŘŻŘŠ Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ Ů٠ا...Al Baha University
Â
John Milton, in his Sonnet 16 'On his Blindness,' meditates on the disturbing effect blindness has had on his whole life and literary works. He compares his lost vision with 'light spent' and grieves not the handicap in itself but the restrictions it carries out on his work as a literary figure, particularly a poet. His poetic skill is significant to him that he describes it as that one talent,' signifying it is the only talent that is of importance.
This study is an attempt to analyze the concepts of blindness, sight, light, vision, and obedience with particular reference to his poem, sonnet 18 or 'On his blindness.' It starts with an introduction to John Milton as a poet. After that, it shifts to discuss the concept of Vision or Sight. Then, the study goes on to deal with the concept of obedience. Next, it sheds light on the concepts of Blindness and Light. Afterward, the task moves to close with a conclusion. In this paper, the researcher applies the critical-analytical approach.
Miltonâs Samson Agonistes: A Renaissance Image of Man - ٠سعŘŮŘŠ Ř´Ů Ř´Ů٠اŮŮŮŮستس...Al Baha University
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ŘŹŮŮ Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ Ůؚتبع شاؚعا اŮŘŤŘą Ů Ů ŮŮŮŮ Ůاتب ٠سعŘŮŘ ŮŮذا اŮسبب Ůا٠شؚع٠ŮŘŻ ا؎ذ ŘŮزا ŮبŮعا ٠٠اŮدعاس؊ ŮاŮŘŞŮ ŘŮŘľ ŮاŮŘŞŘŮŮŮ Ů/أ٠اŮŮŮŘŻ ŮŮŮ ŮŮ Ůؚء٠ذŮ٠اŮاŮت٠ا٠Ů٠٠سعŘŮŘŞŮŘ ŘŞŘاŮŮ Ůذ٠اŮدعاس؊ ŘĽŮŮاإ اŮŘśŮŘĄ ŘšŮŮ "سا٠سŮ٠اŮŮŮŮستس" ŮŮ ŮŮŘŞŮŮ Ů٠سعŘŮŘŠ ŘŁŮŘŤŘą Ů Ů ŮŮŮŮا ŮŘľŮŘŻŘŠ شؚعŮŘŠŘ Ř§Ůدعاس؊ تست؎د٠اŮŮŮŘŹ اŮŘŞŘŮŮŮŮ ŮاŮŮŮŘłŮŮ ŮاŮأدب٠ŮŘŁŘŘŻ أبعز اŮŘ´ŘŽŘľŮات اŮأدبŮŘŠ Ů٠اŮؚؾع اŮتءŮŮع٠اŮبŮŘąŮتاŮŮŘ ŘŹŮŮ Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ Ů٠سعŘŮŘŞŮ "سا٠سŮ٠اŮŮŮŮستس" ŮŘľŮع؊ ŘŁŮ Ů ŮŮŮ٠ع؏٠ؚؾع اŮŮŮ؜؊ اŮŘŞŮ ŮŘŤŮŘąŮŮ ŮŮسبŮ٠اعتباء Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ ŮŘŁŘŽŘą Ř´ŘŽŘľŮŘŠ ادبŮŘŠ ŮŮذا اŮŘšŘľŘąŘ ŮستŮ٠اŮبŘŘŤ ب٠ŮŘśŮŘš اŮ٠ؚعŮŘŠ â ŘłŮاإ اŮ٠ؚعŮŘŠ اŮس٠اŮŮŘŠ أ٠اŮبشعŮŘŠ (Ů Ů ŮŘŹŮŘŠ Ůظع Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ) Ůعد؊ Ůؚ٠اŮاŮسا٠ŮŮ٠ا ŮŘŞŘšŮ٠بتŮ٠اŮ٠ؚعŮŘŠŘ Ř§Ůدعاس؊ ŘŞŘاŮŮ ŮŮ ŮŘŻŮŮا ا٠تؤŮŘŻ Ůتبعز اŮŮŮا،ؾ اŮŮ ŘŁŮŮŮŘŠ ٠اŮŮاŮŘŞŘŠ ŮŮŮظع ٠؍٠اŮ٠ؚاŮا؊ ŮŘłŮŘĄ اŮŘŘ¸Ř Ř§ŮزŮŘŹŘŠ اŮŘşŮŘą Ů ŮŘ§ŘŚŮ ŘŠŘ Ř§ŮŮ ŮŮ ŘŠ اŮŮاشŮŘŠ ŮاŮŮعء؊ بŮŮ ŮŮ Ů Ů Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ Ůبء٠٠سعŘŮŘŞŮŘ "سا٠سŮŮ".
اŮدعاس؊ Ů٠ؚباع؊ ؚ٠ؚ٠ŮŮŘŠ تتبؚŮŮ Ůؚؾع "Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ" ŮŘŁŮŮاع٠اŮŮ ŘšŮŮس؊ Ů٠٠سعŘŮŘŞŮ " سا٠سŮ٠اŮŮŮŮستس"Ř ŘŞŘاŮ٠اŮدعاس؊ ŘĽŮŮاإ اŮŘśŮŘĄ ŘšŮŮ ŮŮŮŮŘŠ ŘŞŮظŮŮ Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ ŘŞŮŮŮات٠اŮأدبŮŘŠ اŮŮابغ؊ Ů٠اŮ٠سعŘŮŘŠ اŮشؚعŮŘŠ ŮŮŘŻ اŮŘŻŘąŘ§ŘłŘŠŘ ŘŞŘłŘŞŮ٠اŮدعاس؊ ب٠ŮŘŻŮ ŘŠ ٠تبŮؚ؊ باŮŮŮع؊ اŮŘŁŮŮŮ Ů ŮŮŮ٠ع؏٠ؚؾع اŮŮŮ؜؊ ؍٠تتءع٠اŮ٠٠ؚاŮŮŘŠ اŮ٠ؚاŮا؊ ŮŘłŮŘĄ اŮŘظ Ůبؚد Ř°ŮŮ Ůتبؚ بŮؾ٠Ů٠ع،Ůات Ů ŮŮŘŞŮŮ ŮŮس٠ŘŮ٠اŮ٠عأ؊ ŮŮŘŞŮŘŹŘŠ Ůبغ؜٠زŮ؏ت٠اŮŘŞŮ Ů٠تؚش Ů ŘšŮŘ Ů٠اŮŮس٠اŮتاŮ٠تتبؚ ŘŞŘŮŮŮŮ ŮŮ ŮاŮŮ٠اŮŮ ŮŮ ŘŠ اŮŮاشŮŘŠ ŮاŮ٠أز٠اŮŮ ŘľŮŘą ŮŮ Ř°ŮŮ Ů ŮŮŘŞŮ٠ؚ٠ŮŮس٠Ůبء٠٠سعŘŮŘŞŮ.
John Milton is a poet more than a dramatist, hence, his poetry is plentifully studied, examined, analyzed, and/or criticized but his drama is sparsely done. This study tries to shed light on Samson Agonistes as drama. It is an analytical, philosophical and literary approach of one important figure in The Puritan age, John Milton, and his play as an image of the Renaissance man. The study takes up the theme of knowledgeâdivine or human knowledge and manâs reaction apropos that. The current study tries in its aim to highlight the frequent remarkable demerits such as misfortunes and suffering, unfortunate wife, unsuccessful mission, and plight between Milton and Samson. It is a pursuing process for Milton's age, and thoughts reflected in his work, Samson Agonistes. The study also attempts to shed light on how Milton employs his genius literary techniques in this verse play. The study starts with an introduction followed by the concept of the Renaissance man. The paper deals with views of misfortunes and suffering thereafter, it depicts Miltonâs views concerning women as a result of his hatred to his wife. The research pursues analytically the concepts of ineffective mission, and plight imaged by Milton about himself and Samson, his main character of the play.
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Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasnât one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
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Analyzing Two Sonnets By Milton VII Amp XIX
1. IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS)
Volume 20, Issue 1, Ver. 1 (Jan. 2015), PP 01-03
e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845.
www.iosrjournals.org
DOI: 10.9790/0837-20110103 www.iosrjournals.org 1 | Page
Analyzing Two Sonnets by Milton: VII & XIX
Gassim H. Dohal, Ph. D.
College of Languages & Translation, Imam Mohamed University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Abstract: In this paper, I will use the late-written Sonnet XIX and the early Sonnet VII so as to analyze what
comes over John Milton's poetic creativity.
Sonnet VII concerns with time and how it passes hurriedly; Sonnet XIX with Miltonâs blindness. From the
theme of each sonnet, we can realize the seriousness and depth of poetic matter though at the end of each
sonnet; Milton becomes more aware of his situation, his God and even the solution.
Indeed, Miltonâs early poems, particularly those written before 1632 are not impressive, though there are many
good lines. Hence, he realizes that he has accomplished little of what he has hoped to do when he writes Sonnet
VII.
In my analysis, I will compare between these two sonnets: VII & XIX, and discuss how they reflect the main
aspects and poetic differences between Miltonâs early and late poetry.
Keywords: Milton, sonnet VII, sonnet XIX
A paradigm of the expansion and change of poetic matter between the
early and the late poems [is] supplied by the Sonnet 19 and the early
Sonnet 7... Jon S. Lawry 16-17
John Miltonâs Sonnet VII entitled âHow Soon Hath Timeâ represents vivacity, youth, light and other
aspects that are appropriate to a young man. Sonnet XIX entitled âWhen I Consider . . .â deals with major
problems: blindness, doubt, suffering and struggleâthese subjects are for a man of knowledge and age. But to
discuss these two sonnets in the light of the above quotation, it is better to explore and explain each sonnet
separately and then look at the differences, changes and similarities that take place.
Sonnet VII is most likely written on December 9, 1631. This date is John Miltonâs twenty-third
birthday. And the sonnet refers to his âthree and twentieth year!â It is written for a friend who has accused
Milton for his love of learning. For a long time he prefers reading and learning. It might be his studies that
have cost him his sight later as Ron Macaulay points out (115).
It is a Petrarchan sonnet though the last three lines rhyme d c e instead of c d e. Such a rhyme indicates
Miltonâs worry about time though he appears patient and aware of fate and Godâs will. This sonnet has iambic
pentameter lines. The words are mostly one-syllable ones. This fact gives more musical sound to the sonnet in
general. Most words carry their own meanings, such as time, youth, year, manhood, etc. There are words that
keep time in mind along the sonnet, such as âthree and twentieth year,â âlate,â âso near,â âless,â âripeness,â etc.
However, personification of âtimeâ at the beginning of Sonnet VII keeps in mind its portrait throughout
the entire poem. Milton considers âtimeâ as a youth-thief that has wings. On his wings, he has stolen Miltonâs
âthree and twentieth year.â Milton does nothing in âthe springâ of that year: âBut my late spring no bud or
blossom showâth.â The word âspringâ means either a seasonâthis is a relevant meaning to the yearâor a
fountain-sweet water. A fountain will help plants grow. Here is a question: Does Milton mean a fountain and
how does that fit in the context? He may mean something (poetry) that irrigates minds. Thus, he uses âbud or
blossomâ to refer to poetry as E. A. J. Honigmann argues (98). Otherwise, he refers to the period that has
passed with no achievement.
In line three, Milton is sorry that he has no profession or âcareer.â Yet, when he mentions, âbud or
blossom,â he believes that his career should be poetry and how to water other minds. His production is little
though he is getting old. Sometimes oneâs age cannot be imagined through his countenance. The word âmightâ
in line five suggests a rarity of such a case though it becomes true to Milton who gets his manhood early.
Hence, he states, âmy semblance might deceive the truth.â
Milton shows how his manhood has arrived. It is the ripeness of the mind that affirms manhood. Yet
he is complaining that his âinward ripenessâ has created less than some others who have done more works at his
age. Honigmann argues that those âmore timely-happy spiritsâ are among his contemporaries, such as Randolph
(b. 1605), Abraham Cowley (b. 1618) and others who have published some works at that time (96). Thus, in the
2. Analyzing Two Sonnets by Milton: VII & XIX
DOI: 10.9790/0837-20110103 www.iosrjournals.org 2 | Page
octave, Milton appears to be complaining about time, which has stolen his age though others cannot notice. He
also complains that he has created fewer works than others have done at his age.
In the sestet, Milton becomes patient, using one-syllable words that assure his belief in fate, whether it
is a chance or Godâs will. Line 12 suggests that time in its course will accomplish what is destined. Both
chance and Godâs will may be used under the Creatorâs guidance, and Milton hopes he can get the benefit of
both to serve his God.
Generally, in Sonnet VII Milton starts talking about time and how it passes, then in the sestet, he
becomes aware of fate, and he is patient and wants to serve God. This happens as a result of his âmanhoodâ and
âinward ripenessâ in the octave.
On the other hand, Miltonâs Sonnet XIX is concerned with his impediment; i. e. blindness. He
becomes totally blind in 1652 and this might be the date of this sonnet. By this time, he has learned a lot. It is
probably his learning that causes his blindness. While Sonnet VII has been written to defend his learning and
studies, Sonnet XIX is written to complain about his blindness; he is asking his God and makes it clear that it is
hard for him to do anything after losing his sight.
Concerning the structure and form, Sonnet XIX is a Petrarchan sonnet. Its rhyme is perfectly
Petrarchan abbaabba cde cde and this suggests Miltonâs awareness and knowledge of his situation. It is written
with iambic pentameter lines. Also it has a great affect on the reader for most words are of one syllable. This
way of writing shows Miltonâs ability to use words to convey his message.
In addition, Milton uses, as Karen Lawrence indicates, the language of âmonetary exchangeâ: âspent,â
âaccount,â âexact,â âthousandsâ and âoneâ (271-73). Also he uses words that suggest time: âwhen,â âspent,â
âdays,â âpresent,â âsoon,â etc. These words provide readers with different meanings and ideas. In addition,
words that require attention are used: âlight,â âdeath,â âocean,â etc.
However, Milton, at the beginning of Sonnet XIX, laments his blindness because, it seems, he does not
expect to lose his sight before âhalfâ his âdays.â At forty-three or a year older, his âsight is spent.â The word
âspentâ suggests giving and taking; he wants to say that this one, i.e. God, who has given is taking now.
After losing his sight, everything is dark. Here, Milton refers to his world as âthis dark world.â
However, the word âconsiderâ at the beginning of Sonnet XIX suggests that he is meditating. Thus, the reader
will not be shocked at the conclusion Milton will come to.
Then, Milton recalls the servant who has not obeyed his lord in profiting his âtalent.â Marjorie Hope
Nicolson argues:
The metaphor around which the sonnet is developed is the parable of the talents in Matthew XXV. 14-
30, in which the unprofitable servant, who buried in the earth the money his master has given him, was cast out
into darkness. (153)
In Sonnet XIX, the word âtalentâ is a pun. It does not mean money, but it means the knowledge; the
âinward ripeness,â mentioned in Sonnet VII. Indeed what Milton is insisting on here is that both the servantâs
money and the âinward ripenessâ are given by God.
Miltonâs talent is his âinward ripenessâ that is âdeath to hide.â It is dangerous to hide knowledge from
others; knowledge should be given to others. At the same time, he is defending his case and complaining to
God. He believes he is useless because he has no power (sight). But his soul argues that he is to serve his
Creator. The soul urges him to serve his âMaker and present [his] true account.â
To make his argument more concrete and to emphasize his dilemma, Milton poses the following
question: âDoth God exact day-labor, light denied?â This question adds more to the poem; it states clearly his
argument and his defense: âDoth God exact day-labor,â is the case and âlight deniedâ is the defense.
After stating the case and defense, Milton apologizes promptly, âI fondly ask.â A reader is expecting
line 8 to continue the question, yet the conjunction âbutâ after that changes the direction. This enjambment
makes some kind of discord, particularly the one that joins lines 8 & 9: â...But patience to prevent / That
murmur....â It is supposed to have an idea in the sestet but here both octave and sestet are mingled through the
word âbut.â Milton discusses the injustice of his trouble in the octave and patience appears to reply his
question.
In the following lines, patience is personified. She comes to prevent the foolishness and replies,
God doth not used Either manâs work or his own gifts;... (Lines 9-14)
The sestet affirms that Milton needs Godâs help but God is in no need of anybody: âHis State / Is
Kingly.â Under His command everything is done. Under His leadership thousands of angels do what He wants
âAnd post oâer Land and Ocean without rest.â Finally, Milton comes to the declaration of faith; he wants to
serve God at least by accepting his orders and waiting to be accomplished. Thus both are serving God; the
angels and those who âstand and wait.â
Coming back to the first point raised at the beginning of this paper, there are some similarities and
differences between Miltonâs two sonnets: VII & XIX. Through these two sonnets, it is clear that Milton is a
3. Analyzing Two Sonnets by Milton: VII & XIX
DOI: 10.9790/0837-20110103 www.iosrjournals.org 3 | Page
man of knowledge. His ideas are explicitly discussed through musical words that add some concord and
harmony to the sonnets.
Each sonnet analyzes a problem and discusses it. Time is in Sonnet VII and blindness in Sonnet XIX.
In the first, Milton knows that time will accomplish in its course what has been destined, so he becomes patient
until âTime leads [him]...â at the end of the sonnet. His patience, in turn, prevails in Sonnet XIX and answers
his question. Finally, he is aware that God is in no need of anybody. So he decides to serve God.
On the other hand, Milton is worried about his productivity: "no bud or blossom" in Sonnet VII, and
âLodgâd with me uselessâ in Sonnet XIX. However, Sonnet XIX represents a dark shadow; Milton complains
to God and wrestles with his blindness. Thus, this sonnet represents some kind of strong struggle and suffering.
On the contrary, Sonnet VII suggests a youthful poem with a bright shadow (Lawry 16).
Both sonnets depend on a will and response (Lawry 17). In Sonnet VII, Milton wants to produce but
time has stolen his youth. In the end, he knows that time is fate and destiny. In Sonnet XIX, there is a question
in the middle of the sonnet about whether to serve or not. The response is that God is in no need. Thus Milton
becomes aware of accepting His orders and waiting for their accomplishments.
As a conclusion, sonnets no. VII & XIX reflect some changing aspects of Miltonâs poetry. In Sonnet
VII, youth, brightness, activity, to some extent simplicity, optimism, all these sides are presented. As for Sonnet
XIX, strong struggle, creativity, seriousness and to some extent pessimism are prevailing. And this change is
expected due to the subject matter I addressed while analyzing these two sonnets.
Sonnet VII
How Soon Hath Time
How soon hath time, the subtle thief of youth,
Stolân on his wing my three and twentieth year!
My hasting daysfly on with full career,
But my late spring no bud or blossom showâth.
Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth,
That I to manhood am arrivâd so near,
And inward ripeness doth much less appear,
That some more timely-happy spirits enduâth.
Yet be it less or more, or soon or slow,
It shall be still in strictest measure evân
To that same lot, however mean or high,
Toward which Time leads me, and the will of Heavân;
All is, if I have grace to use it so,
As ever in my great task-Masterâs eye.
Sonnet XIX
When I consider . . .
When I consider how my sight is spent,
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one Talent which is death to hide,
Lodgâd with me useless, though my Soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker and present
My true account, lest he returning chide;
âDoth God exact day-labor, light denied,â
I fondly ask; But patience to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, âGod doth not need
Either manâs 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 oâer Land and Ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait.â
Works Cited
[1]. Honigman, E. A. J. Miltonâs Sonnets. NY: St. Martinâs Press, 1966.
[2]. Hughes, Merritt Y., ed. John Milton: Complete Poems and Major Prose. NY: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1957.
[3]. Lawrence, Karen, et al. The McGraw Hill Guide to English Literature. Inât Ed. 2 Vols. Singapore: McGraw
[4]. Hill, Inc., 1992.
[5]. Lawry, Jon S. The Shadow of Heaven: Matter and Stance in Miltonâs Poetry. NY: Cornell UP, 1968.
[6]. Macaulay, Ron. Milton. NY: Harper and Brothers Publishers, 1935.
[7]. Nicolson, Marjorie Hope. John Milton: A Readerâs Guide to His Poetry. NY: Farrar, Straus and Company,1963.