by Paul Dice

Created on: June 01, 2007   Last Updated: June 02, 2007

This is a Petrarchan sonnet, of iambic pentameter and yet again simple diction, full and half-rhyme, enjambment and contraction. Milton has used his extensive knowledge of scripture to create a deeply personal poem, and gently guide himself and the reader or listener from an intense loss through to understanding and gain.

The main themes of this poem are Milton's exploration of his feeling, fears and doubts regarding his failed sight, his rationalisation of this fear by seeking solutions in his faith.

The tone of the poem is one of contrasting darkness and light, `my light is spent' and spending half of his life `in this dark world and wide', using alliteration and contrast to give understanding to his affliction, but Milton is also indicating a biblical reference to the `Talent'; a unit of currency in those times, and used several by Jesus as a symbolic level of the meaning of forgiveness. The ending part of this line `which is death to hide', Milton is referring to the Resurrection and that if one hides one's Talent or the gift of the forgiveness and / or compassion, and not extend it to others, will this will this be extended to you at the End of Days?

(18.23: Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would
take account of his servants.
18:24: And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him
ten thousand talents.
18:25: But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him be sold, and
his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
18.26: The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have
patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
18:27: Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and
forgave him the debt.
18.28: But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which
owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat,
saying, Pay me that thou owest.
18:29: And his feliowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have
patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
18:30: And he would not. but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the
debt.
18:31: So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and
came and told unto their lord all that was done.
18:32: Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, 0 thou wicked
servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
18:33: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even

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