• Themes 
• Type and form
• Analysis
• Tone and mood
• Activity 5

On his blindness by John Milton

On his blindness was written by John Milton (1608-1674). He was a deeply religious English poet. He studied at Cambridge University. As a young man he travelled around Europe and learnt many European languages.
In his later life, there was a civil war in England between King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell and his supporters, who wanted England to become a republic. Milton supported Cromwell and became very politically active. He had to go into hiding when the new king, King Charles II, came into power.
At the age of 44, Milton went blind. Most of his best-known poems were written after this. He composed poems in his head and recited them to his daughters so they could write them down.

Fun fact: 

• This poem is based on the parable of the talents in the Bible - Matthew 25, verses 14-30

1. Themes

The main themes in this poem are serving God, blindness (disability) and using one’s talents.
The poet struggles with the fact that he is no longer able to see. He is depressed that he may not be able to serve God by using his talent as a writer. The answer comes to him that God has many followers to do his work and that accepting his blindness and being patient (“stand and wait”) is also serving God

Words to know:

Fun fact: 

• The title of this poem was not written by Milton. It was given to the poem much later by Bishop Newton, who was referring to Milton's blindness. That is why it is called, "On his blindness", rather than " On my blindness."

2. Type and form

The poem is an Italian or Miltonic sonnet. This is because its 14 lines are made up of:

• An octave of eight lines made up of two This is where the problem is presented; and
• A sestet of six This is where the problem is resolved. The rhyming scheme in this sonnet is abba abba cdecde.

3.Analysis

In the octave, the problem is presented. The speaker feels depressed when he thinks (“consider” in line 1) about his problem – the problem is that he is going blind “ere half my days” – before he is even half way through his life. He has one great gift from God, a “talent”, which has been “lodged” (given to him) to use but it is “useless” (line 4) because he cannot see to write any more.
Fun fact: 

Related Items

• A 'talent' was a coin in the time of the Bible. Jesus used the idea of a 'talent' as something valuable, a skill given by God. To use one's talent or skill was a way of serving God. Hiding one's 'talent' would be an insult to God.

The poet uses a metaphor to refer to his eyesight. He calls it his “light” (line 7). This is an effective comparison because our eyes are important. They are one of the ways we get to understand our world. Light is important
- light allows us to see clearly. Light also represents God and the sun and has connotations of brightness and happiness. This contrasts with the life without light – the “dark world” in line 2.
The poet (or speaker) describes his problem in the octave in one long sentence that ends in the middle of line 8. In this sentence, he lists all the things he is worried about and what may happen as a result of his blindness. He is frustrated because the talent God has given him (“lodged with me”) is “useless” (line 4). He is also frustrated because his soul is absolutely “bent” (determined) on serving his “Maker” (God) (lines 4-5) and he cannot do this if he cannot see.
He is fearful and worried because he knows that God has given him this talent so it would be “death to hide” it (line 3). Milton wants to serve his Maker and use his writing talent so that at the end of his life he can present a good “account” (record of his work) “lest” (in case) God would “chide” (become cross with) him for not using the talent to serve Him (line 6).
The poet is also confused. He says that if God did become angry with him he would ask God how God could demand “day-labour” (work) but at the same time make him blind (“light denied”) and therefore unable to work. Although the poet is frustrated, fearful and a little angry, it is important to note that he remains humble when he speaks to God: he calls God his “Maker”, he is “bent” (wanting / determined) on serving God and he realises that he asks the question foolishly (“fondly” in line 8) because God has a plan we may not know.

Note: 

• the poet contrasts light and dark in the poem.

The sestet is where the problem set out in the octave is resolved. The speaker begins to answer the question in line 8 starting with the word “But”:

But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies…                (lines 8 and 9)

“Patience” (which is a good human quality of being able to wait) seems to appear to him personified almost like an angel from God (in a human form). Notice how Patience is named with a capital ‘P’ – like a proper noun. When Patience appears to him, it is as if the poet’s own mind speaks to him and reassures him.
Patience speaks to stop the poet’s “murmur” (complaints) and explains that God does not need man’s work: people serve God best when they “bear his mild yoke” (obey his gentle commands/ carry a small burden). Patience goes on to explain to the poet that God is so powerful (“His state is kingly” – lines 11 and 12) and that there are “thousands” of others who can serve him in many other places and in many different ways.
The poet finally understands that he does not have to write and perform to serve God if he is not able to do so, because people also serve God just by accepting what happens – “who only stand and wait” (line 14). He realises there are other ways to serve God.

4. Tone and mood

In the octave of this sonnet, the speaker goes through many feelings and the tone reflects each of them: frustrated, fearful, worried and confused. In the sestet, the tone changes. It becomes more accepting and gentle.
The mood of a poem is how it makes the reader feel. How does this poem make you feel? For example, happy, sad, angry, or indifferent.

Summary
On his blindness by John Milton

1. Theme
   The main themes are serving God, blindness (disability) and using one’s talents.
2. Type and form
3. Tone and mood

   Tone: In the octave it is frustrated, fearful, worried and confused. In the sestet, it is accepting and gentle.
   Mood: How does this poem make you feel? Happy, sad, angry or indifferent? Always give reasons for your answer.

Activity 5

Refer to the poem on page 42 and answer the questions below.

1. Complete the following sentences by using the words provided in the list Write only the words next to the question number (1.1–1.3)

   ballad; sonnet; problem; solution; cause; result

   This poem is a Miltonic (1.1) … The octave gives the reader the (1.2) … and the sestet gives the reader the (1.3) …                                                                   (3)
2. Refer to lines 1 and 2 (“When I consider ... world and wide”)
   Quote TWO contrasting words that best describe the poet’s concern.                                                                 (2)
3. Refer to line
   3.1 Quote a word from the first line which Milton uses in place of “eyesight”.                                                                              (1)
   3.2 Why do you think he uses this word? (2)
4. Refer to lines 3 and 4 (“And that one ... Soul more bent”).
   Why does the poet consider his talent to be useless?          (2)
5. Refer to lines 6 and 7 (“My true account ... labour, light denied?”).
   5.1 What is the poet’s fear in these lines? (1)
   5.2 Why does he have this fear? (1)
6. Refer to line 8 (“I fondly But Patience, to prevent”).
   6.1 Identify the figure of speech used (1)
   6.2 Explain why the poet uses this figure of (2)
7. How does the poet’s mood, or how do his feelings change in the course of the poem?
   Choose two words from the box below to complete this sentence:

   joy; acceptance; frustration; blind

   At the start of the poem the poet feels 7.1… but at the end of the poem the poet experiences 7.2…                                 (2)
8. Refer to lines 10 and 11 “Who best/Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best”.
   Choose the correct word in brackets:
   8.1 “his/him” are pronouns referring to (God/ the poet). (1)
   8.2 “they” is a pronoun referring to (blind people/ all people). (1)
   8.3.1 What figure of speech has been used in these lines?
   1. Simile
   2. Metaphor
   3. Personification.                                                                  (1)
      8.3.2 Explain the figure of speech by choosing the correct answer to complete the sentence below.
      The speaker is comparing the “mild yoke” that God puts on us to:
      1. A donkey pulling a cart
      2. A small burden or job
      3. A kind joke                                                                             (1)
9. Choose the correct answer to complete the following Write only the answer (A–D).
   The word which best describes the poet’s feeling in lines 9-14 (“That murmur, soon … stand and wait”) is:
   1. acceptance.
   2. anger.
   3. depression.
   4. joy.                                                                                      (1)
10. Refer to the last 4 lines of the
    Is the following statement TRUE or FALSE? Write “true” or “false” and quote TWO consecutive words to support your answer.      (2)
    The poet feels that our burdens are not heavy.
11. Consider the poem as a
    11.1 Do you feel sorry for the poet? Discuss your (2)
    11.2 Do you think a disabled person should be expected to perform at the same level as an able person? Discuss your (2)  [28]

Answers to Activity 5

1. 1.1 Sonnet ✓
   1.2 Problem ✓
   1.3 Solution ✓ (3)
2. “Light” ✓ and “dark” ✓ (2)
3. 3.1 “Light” ✓ (1)
   3.2 Joy/ hope/ clarity/ visibility/ warms/ shining/ inspiration ✓✓ (2)
4. The poet’s talent is that he can write and he will not be able to use this talent if he is blind. ✓✓
   OR
   He is unable to see. Therefore, he cannot write poetry/ use his gift. ✓✓ (2)
5. 5.1 He is afraid that God will punish him/ not be satisfied with what he has done. ✓ (1)
   5.2 He has not used the talent that God gave him./ He did not use his talent well./ He did not do a full day’s work. ✓ (1)
6. 6.1 Personification ✓ (1)
   6.2 Personification: It becomes the voice of reason/ his conscience. ✓✓
   OR
   Patience becomes a person who is answering his question. ✓✓
   OR
   He personifies his thoughts in order to accept his burden. ✓✓ (2)
7. 7.1 Frustration ✓ (2)
   7.2 Acceptance ✓ (1)
8. 8.1 “His”/ “him” are pronouns referring to God. ✓ (1)
   8.2 “They” is a pronoun referring to all people. ✓ (1)
   8.3.1 Metaphor ✓ (1)
   8.3.2 The speaker is comparing the “mild yoke” to a small burden or job. ✓ (1)
9. A/acceptance ✓ (1)
10. True. “Mild yoke”. ✓✓ (2)
11. 11.1 Yes. He has a talent and he cannot use it. ✓✓
              OR
    No. I admire him for accepting his blindness. ✓✓ (2)
    11.2 Yes. Disabled people often perform better than those without  disabilities and tend to feel insulted if you make allowances for them. ✓✓
              OR
    No. You have to make concessions to accommodate disabled people as they have barriers to overcome. ✓✓  (2)   [28]