“On His Blindness”- Summery Analysis/Substance:
The sonnet “On His Blindness” is a personal meditation. This sonnet may be compared with “How soon hath time...” Milton is here concerned with the proper use of the talent which God has given him. He is bereft of his eyesight. His despair is voiced by Samson in his utmost agony-“O dark, dark, dark, amid the blazed of noon.” The poet laments his blindness. He has become blind in the middle of his life. So he can cot serve God with his poetic gift. He, however, earnestly wishes to use his poetic talent which is the gift of god for the service of him.
He afraid that God might scold him for spending his days idly. But the mood of the octet changed suddenly as Milton nourishes a more optimistic view in the sestet.
His ambition was the highest that any writer of that time could have and he has afraid that with his blindness he would no be able to write great poetry which he long cherished. Milton believed in the Parable of talents, which showed that God expected man to use and improve the gist he had been granted.
He compares himself with the third servant in the Parable of Talents. He fears that he will be rebuked by God, as the third servant was rebuked by his master for not using his talent. But then, the question comes to his mind-Does God demand service even from a blind man? Soon his doubt passes and faith in God returns. He comes to believe that God does not demand man’s active service. Persons who resign themselves to the will of God are his best servants. All he demands of man is complete resignation to his will. Those who bear his dispensations without protest and remain ready for his decrees serve him best. 