ON HIS BLINDNESS

ON HIS BLINDNESS

-JOHN MILTON

Introduction:

             John Milton, one of the greatest poets of England was born in London.  He had his education first at St.Paul’s school and then at Cambridge.  As a student he exhibited his poetic talent.  He was also well versed in Latin, Greek, Hebrew and many European language.  He was appointed as Latin secretary to Oliever Cromwell .  He wrote the epics “Paradise Lost” and “Paradise Regained” during his Blindness.  “On His Blindness” one of the best sonnets of Milton.

  

Ambition of Milton:

             Milton’s great ambition in life was to serve god by writing poems of everlasting greatness.  He thought that such poems world spiritually live in his poems even after his physical death.  But as the saying goes “Man Purposes and God Disposes”, Milton had become stark blind at the age of forty five even before he started writing poems of immortality.  For the rest of his life, he had to live with blindness in the dark world.  As a result he could not fulfil his lifetime ambition.  It was God’s will that Milton should write immortal poems only during his blindness.  But Milton failed to realize this fact and found fault with God without understanding God’s ways.

  

His inability to fulfill God’s wish:

            Milton knew well that he had been blessed with a creative talent because God expected him to write great poems in praise of him.  Since he had lost his eyesight, he could not carry out God’s wish.  He was afraid that his creative talent would remain unused till his death and it would be buried along with him.  He felt guilty of not having used his poetic talent bestowed on him.  He feared that God might reproach him for his failure when he presented the account of his earthly life on the Day of Judgement.  He thought that he was similar to the servant in the biblical parable who was scolded by his master for not having used the coin given to him.  He was certain that it was not his fault either.  His position was like that of a day laborer who could not work without daylight.  He felt that, he could not serve the purpose of god without eyesight.  He asked god not to expect him to write poems of greatness after having made him blind.

Those who stand and wait serve God:

            Patience informed Milton that God was majestic and magnanimous.  God did not need man’s service or this own gifts back.  Those who could endure their mild yoke without any complaint would always remain happy and serve God.  There were thousands of people who ran all over the land and ocean and serve him at his bidding.  At the same time those who could stand and wait for God’s command patiently would also serve him best.

Conclusion:

            Milton atleast realized that God’s way were unique and beyond comprehension of human minds.  He reconciled himself to God’s will and his blindness.  He decide to wait for his turn to come with patience inorder to serve God.  His initial anxiety and doubts finally gave peace to faith.  At first he was much upset and was in a state of despair.  Towards the end he turns to religious faith for consolation and feels that he must accept the will of God.