Explain the central idea of Milton’s sonnet, “On His Blindness”.
Introduction: John Milton is a remarkable English poet who produced the most notable epic poem “Paradise Lost.” He possesses a deep faith in religion and God’s justice in the world. The central idea of the sonnet” On His Blindness”, published in 1652, is Milton’s fight with the upcoming times with his blindness and his belief that his blindness may dissuade him from fulfilling his purpose in life.
Anguished for his early blindness: The sonnet starts with Milton’s thinking on his own blindness and how it has restrained him to serve God through writing, which was his extraordinary skill. He feels that God has called him to be a writer, but his blindness robs him of this blessing. He articulates his anxiety that he has not done enough for God and will be judged harshly.
Read: What is a Dramatic Monologue? Explain Ulysses as a dramatic monologue
Religious aspect: Milton is a very religious poet which is evident in his poetry. Here, we also see this notion. As the sonnet progresses, Milton realizes that his blindness cannot be a hindrance to serving God. He realizes that God does not wish for His servants to do things, instead, He desires them willing to serve. Milton discovers that he can still serve God by being patient and tolerating his blindness and trusting that God will lead him on the right path. It can be cleared from the following quotation.
“‘Doth God exact day-labor, 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.”
Believe in the justice of God: At the end of the sonnet, Milton asserts that they also serve those who only stand and wait, indicating that patience and acceptance of one’s impediments is also a form of service to God. The main concept of the sonnet, thus, is the endorsement of one’s fate and the belief that God’s plan for each person may not be what they predicted, but it is always just and perfect.
Conclusion: It is clear that the sonnet successfully depicts its central theme in a unique manner. The poem shows the emotion of the poem as a blind person, his sorrow for being blind early, and his unshaken faith in God.
