When I consider how my light is spent by John Milton
When I consider how my light is spent by John Milton
- John
Milton (1608-1674) was an English poet, writer, and intellectual.
- He
was born in London and lived during the turbulent times of the English
Civil War and the Interregnum.
- Milton
was a staunch advocate of religious and political freedom and an ardent
supporter of the Commonwealth of England.
Works:
- Milton
is best known for his epic poem "Paradise Lost," which is
considered one of the greatest works in the English language.
- He
also wrote other notable works, including "Paradise Regained,"
"Samson Agonistes," and numerous sonnets.
- His
writings often explored religious and political themes and reflected his
beliefs in individual liberty and social justice.
John Milton's life and works are
integral to the English literary and political landscape of the 17th century.
His contributions to poetry and prose continue to be studied and celebrated for
their intellectual depth and lasting impact on English literature and political
thought.
The poem begins with the speaker, who is
now blind, contemplating how much of his life has been "spent" or
wasted in the darkness of the world. It's as if he has lost the use of his
"light" or vision before even reaching the halfway point of his
life's journey in this vast and dark world.
The speaker refers to a
"Talent" within him, which is a reference to a biblical parable in
the New Testament. The talent represents an innate gift or ability, and the
speaker feels that his own talent, which is to serve God through his writing,
remains "useless" and unfulfilled because of his blindness.
The poem reveals the speaker's deep
desire to serve his Maker and fulfill his calling. He feels a strong
inclination to use his gift to serve God, presenting a "true account"
of his life and work when he faces divine judgment. He fears that God will reproach
him for not using his talent.
The speaker raises a question:
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?" He is essentially asking
whether God expects him to continue his work even in his blindness. He
questions whether God demands him to perform physical labor, even when he cannot
see.
However, in the next lines, the speaker
demonstrates patience and acceptance. He believes that God doesn't require
man's work or even the gifts that humans possess. Instead, what matters most to
God is one's willingness to bear His "mild yoke" and be in His
service. The speaker acknowledges that God's dominion is kingly, and His
servants obey His will without question.
The final lines of the poem express the
idea that those who "stand and wait" to serve God, even without the
ability to actively work, are still serving Him. In other words, the act of
patiently accepting one's circumstances and remaining faithful to God's will is
a form of service. The poem emphasizes that service to God is not limited to
active labor but also includes enduring challenges and hardships with faith and
patience.
In summary, "When I consider how my
light is spent" is a profound reflection on the poet's own blindness and
his commitment to serving God. It conveys the idea that service to God goes
beyond physical actions and that one can serve by patiently bearing the burdens
and challenges of life with unwavering faith and acceptance of God's will.
MCQs
1. What
is the central theme of "When I consider how my light is spent"?
a) The
poet's struggle with blindness
b) The
importance of hard work and labor
c) The
role of patience and faith in serving God
d) A
critique of God's expectations
Answer:
c) The role of patience and faith in serving God
2. What
is the poet's primary concern in the poem?
a) The
wasted years of his life
b) The
demands of his talent
c) The
darkness of the world
d) The
loss of his vision
Answer:
b) The demands of his talent
3. The
word "Talent" in the poem refers to what?
a) A
unit of currency
b) An
innate ability or gift
c) A
religious ritual
d) A
form of punishment
Answer:
b) An innate ability or gift
4. What
does the speaker fear God might demand of him?
a) Physical
labor
b) A
confession of his sins
c) A
promise to regain his sight
d) An
explanation for his blindness
Answer:
a) Physical labor
5. How
does the speaker resolve his inner conflict in the poem?
a) He
confronts God with his concerns
b) He
resigns himself to his fate
c) He
demands a cure for his blindness
d) He
abandons his faith
Answer:
b) He resigns himself to his fate
6. What
does the speaker mean when he says, "God doth not need either man's work
or his own gifts"?
a) God
is self-sufficient and doesn't rely on human efforts or offerings.
b) God
requires constant service and labor from humans.
c) God
depends on the talents and gifts that people possess.
d) God
demands offerings and sacrifices from mankind.
Answer:
a) God is self-sufficient and doesn't rely on human efforts or offerings.
7. What
is the significance of "They also serve who only stand and wait" in
the poem?
a) It
suggests that waiting is a futile endeavor.
b) It
highlights the importance of patience and faith in God's service.
c) It
emphasizes the need for immediate action.
d) It
criticizes those who are passive.
Answer:
b) It highlights the importance of patience and faith in God's service.
8. What
literary device is employed in the line "They also serve who only stand
and wait"?
a) Simile
b) Metaphor
c) Alliteration
d) Irony
Answer:
b) Metaphor
9. What
is the biblical reference in the poem related to the concept of the
"Talent"?
a) The
Parable of the Lost Sheep
b) The
Parable of the Good Samaritan
c) The
Parable of the Prodigal Son
d) The
Parable of the Talents
Answer:
d) The Parable of the Talents
10. How
does the poem suggest one can serve God, even when faced with limitations?
a) By
constantly seeking to regain lost abilities
b) By
questioning God's intentions
c) By
patiently accepting one's circumstances and having faith
d) By
abandoning all faith and hope
Answer:
c) By patiently accepting one's circumstances and having faith
Short Answer Type Questions
- What
is the speaker's primary concern in the poem?
Answer:
The speaker's primary concern in the poem is how he can best serve his Maker
(God) despite his blindness and the feeling that his talent or ability remains
unused.
- How
does the poem resolve the speaker's initial frustration and worry about
his blindness?
Answer:
The poem resolves the speaker's initial frustration by emphasizing the
importance of patience and faith in serving God. The speaker accepts his
circumstances and believes that God does not require physical labor or the use
of his own gifts but values one's willingness to bear God's "mild
yoke."
- What
is the significance of the biblical reference to the "Talent" in
the poem?
Answer:
The reference to the "Talent" in the poem alludes to the biblical
Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), where talents represent gifts or
abilities given by God. The poem explores the speaker's sense of responsibility
to use his God-given talent to serve, even in the face of adversity.
- What
does the phrase "They also serve who only stand and wait" convey
in the context of the poem?
Answer:
The phrase "They also serve who only stand and wait" underscores the
idea that serving God isn't solely about active, outward actions. Even those
who patiently endure challenges and have faith are considered to be serving
God. It emphasizes that service to God can take various forms, including
enduring hardships with faith.
- How
does the poem balance the speaker's personal struggle with a broader
message about faith and service to God?
Answer:
The poem uses the speaker's personal experience of blindness and his inner
turmoil to convey a broader message about the role of faith and patience in
serving God. It highlights the idea that true service to God goes beyond one's
physical abilities and is a matter of one's spirit and willingness to accept
and bear life's challenges with unwavering faith.
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