What does Sonnet 19 by John Milton mean?

Likely written in the mid-1650s, after Milton lost his eye-sight, the poem reflects on the physical and spiritual challenges the speaker faces as a blind person. He feels unable to complete the tasks that God has set for him, and worries that he is squandering his capacity to serve God.

What is the meaning of the poem On His Blindness?

“On His Blindness” refers to the struggles John Milton had after he lost his sight. The speaker of the poem feels he’s lost his purpose, that he cannot work as well for God anymore, and he asks God for guidance as to what he should do.

When I consider how my light is spent Meaning?

The speaker thinks about how all of his light has been used up (“spent”) before even half his life is over. As a man without light, he now lives in a world that is both “dark and wide.” The speaker says that his light can be “spent,” and this word suggests that he is thinking of something like an oil lamp.

What is the meaning of they also serve who only stand and wait?

This page is about the saying “They also serve who only stand and wait” Possible meaning: We all have a place in this world and we all perform a function, regardless of our ability or disability. The word order of this sentence may make it more difficult to understand.

What is the summary of Sonnet 19?

Summary In Sonnet 19, the poet addresses Time and, using vivid animal imagery, comments on Time’s normal effects on nature. The poet then commands Time not to age the young man and ends by boldly asserting that the poet’s own creative talent will make the youth permanently young and beautiful.

What does the poem on his blindness mean?

The Meaning. “On His Blindness” is a thought provoking poem that reflects on the reality of being blind. The poet, John Milton became completely blind in his middle age. As a result, he couldn’t use his poetic talent properly. For him, the condition is a spiritual death.

What is a Milton sonnet?

The Miltonic sonnet keeps the Petrarchan length and rhyming scheme, but does away with the stanza break between the octave and the sestet. Otherwise, the Miltonic sonnet is a normal sonnet with its own form and where the topic and theme of the poem are down to the poet. A sonnet is a 14-line poem originating from medieval Italy.