The sonnet reflects on Milton's blindness and questions how he can still serve God without his sight. It describes his blindness as having his "light spent" before half his days. The sestet then provides a comforting response, saying God does not need works or gifts, and those who patiently accept God's will best serve him.

1. “ On His Blindness” John Milton (1608 – 1674)

2. 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 Lodg'd 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." John Milton

3. The theme of the sonnet is acceptance and submission to the will of a wise and loving God. Imagery of the sonnet is based on Matthew; 25, verses 14 – 30 – Parable of the Talents Sonnet is explicitly religious. Sonnet is autobiographical – Milton was completely blind by 1652 (aged 44)

4. The Parable of the Talents “ For it is like a man going into another country, who called his own servants and entrusted his goods to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them and made another five talents. In like manner, he also who got the two, gained another two. But he who received the one, went away and dug in the earth and hid his lord’s money. Now after a long time the lord of those servants came and reconciled accounts with them. He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold I have gained another five talents besides them.” His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” He also who got the two talents came and said, “Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold I have gained another two talents beside them.” His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” He also who had received the one talent came and said, “Lord, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter. I was afraid and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.” But his lord answered him: 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter. You ought, therefore, to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.” “ Take away, therefore, the talent from him and give it to him has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance. But from him who has not, even that which he has will be taken away. Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

5. 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 Lodg'd 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." A B B A A B B A C D E C D E

6. 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 Lodg'd 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." OCTAVE POSES PROBLEM SESTET ANSWERS QUESTIONS

7. 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 Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, Focuses and muses on his blindness Sight has been “spent” or exhausted Before 44 Like the unprofitable servant – cast into the “outer darkness” – literal and figurative darkness Positioning of the adjectives Writing poetry Like the servant who buried the talents Trapped or locked within him

8. and present My true account, lest he returning chide, "Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?" I fondly ask. No sense or feelings of resentment How do I serve God without my sight? Does God expect me to serve him in the same way as those who do have sight? Contrast between light and dark “ the lord of those servants came and reconciled accounts with them” To scold mildly so as to correct or improve; reprimand: chided the boy for his sloppiness TONE: despondent, frustration, quiet and uncertain questioning

9. 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. Personification Talents belong to God – are on loan to man We serve God by submitting to his will with patience and endurance OXYMORON God will not burden man with more than he can endure BURDEN but also means of GUIDING an animal