by Shaheen Darr

Created on: June 20, 2008   Last Updated: April 15, 2012

John Milton (1608 - 1674) was an English Poet with controversial opinions. One of his most read poem amongst others is 'Paradise Lost'. He became blind in 1651, which in no way affected his writings and in his sonnet 19(X1X), “When I consider how my light is spent” the poet refers to his blindness.

"When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,"

He describes how he is living his life in a “wide” world which is now “dark” because of the loss of his sight, which he refers to as his “light that is spent” or now used up.

"And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent"

He cannot even use the one way out which is to commit suicide even though his soul bends towards this idea. This will remain a “useless talent” within him which he will never use. He refers to death with sarcasm as a “talent”, something that is not normally done in society. This reflects his own anger or hurt as Milton enjoyed writing and his blindness must have presented him with a lot of difficulty. It was his faith that kept him strong and deterred him from taking his own life. The strength of his faith is shown in the next lines of the sonnet.

"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"

He will serve his Maker no matter how he feels as he will have to present to Him a “true account” of his life. He will do this in case he is chided when he returns to God and is asked if he carried on with his day to day life even without his eyesight.

"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."

He answers his own question saying that God will not need “either man's work or his own gifts” meaning that God has no need for gifts from men. He is served by thousands of angels who are at his beck and call and they “post o'er land and ocean without rest” to do his bidding. He also adds that angels will serve those who are patient and wait through all sorts of problems that they face.

Milton’s faith in God seems to give him the courage to face his life despite his blindness. It is this faith that seems to give him courage and patience to cope and also gives him the hope that salvation lies for those who wait in patience.

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