Well-known for his epic poem, "Paradise Lost," John Milton is of the most famous, recognized poets in English literature. The writer wrote "When I Consider How My Light Is Spent,"" when he had completely gone blind in the early years of 1650s. In the poem, as in "Paradise Lost," he "justifies the way of God to men"" ([Joh 67], describes his increasing blindness, and how it affects him as a faithful servant to his God.
"When I consider how my light is spent,.
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,.
And that one talent which is death to hide.
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent.
To serve therewith my Maker, and present.
My true account, lest He returning chide;.
"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. 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"" (qtd. in Schilb, Clifford 70).
The poem is written in the Petrarchan sonnet form, "one of the most enduring literary form of the post classical world, a meeting place of image and voice, passion and reason, elegy and ode"" [Lev, 01] the rhyme scheme is "abbaabba, cdecde" which divides into to two parts. The first octave part introduces his story and the second sestet part reasons with the audience about it. The poem can be interpreted as: "When I consider how my talent is spent with my sight loss in this dark and wide world. I ask whether God still expect me being his humble servant. To my delight, God replies: 'Men who put up with their burdens and serve his fellow men as a challenge are the ones who serve him best.' God's faithful servant could only stand and wait for his command." ".
Milton first considers his "light " as a gift from God, a talent that is achieved through his poetic ability.
