Commentary on When I Consider How my Light is Spent
A comentary on one of Milton’s most beloved works…
Commentary on “When I Consider How My Light Is Spent”
Sonnet XIX: When I Consider How my Light is Spent
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
Lodg’d 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-labour, 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.”
http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poem/1457.html
This poem is a classic. For decades it has thrilled readers and been the discussion of many literary and academic conversations. It is a popular favorite with high school English teachers across America. Many read the poem to pick out the meaning; some think that the poem is a discussion about his blindness; others feel that the poem speaks of religious duty; still others argue that the poem is about the importance of time. In fact, I think that all of these arguments are partly correct, but more importantly, I feel that the composing of this poem was Milton’s effort to comfort himself.
“When I Consider How My Light Is Spent,” is Milton’s first and only poem that appears to be about his blindness. At the time of this poem’s composition, Milton was blind. His daughter who took dictations for him held the pen that inked Milton into literary immortality. A brief study of Milton’s life, however, will show that all of his life, he was an active, independent, advocate of rights in religion and an amazingly tenacious seeker of government reform. Though most of his endeavors in the political and religious arena’s failed, (he was a Protestant), he stuck to his guns… even when it was arguably unwise to do so. Understandably, a blind Milton would feel some angst at having lost his sight.
There are many who believe that the “light” in Milton’s poem is time. If that is so, then let’s assume that “that one talent which is death to hide,” was his poetry . I have raised this sugesstion because after reading biographies on Milton and seeing how active he was and how he used his writing skills to try to affect change in his world it seemed the most obvious, “talent” that stood in danger of being hidden; unless, of course, the “talent” is Milton’s eyes, which are indeed, “Lodged within [him] useless.” Here I must make a choice, is the talent Milton’s poetry or his sight? Here is my case: Milton used his eyes in the days of his youth to observe injustices, and then used his hands and pen to attempt to right them. I am convinced however, that the “talent” he is “hiding” is eyesight, given to him by a “Maker.” Why am I convinced? Naturally, the following lines prove my point:
“And that one talent which is death to hide//Lodg’d with me useless, though my soul more bent//To serve therewith my Maker, and present//My true account.”
These lines tell me beyond a shadow of a doubt that Milton is eager to “right wrongs” again. He wants to change his world. He wants to try to change something, but he can’t. His sight lies lodged within him useless, though he longs to serve his Master with it, and give his true account of the injustices and corruption around him. I know that the talent is not poetry because Milton can still dictate. He can indeed write through his daughter. Yes, many may argue that he cannot pick up a pen and write whenever he pleases, being blind, but his hands are not lodged within him useless; his eyes are.
Here again we return to the issue of “light.” What is it? It is time. Milton clears up any doubts with his query, “Does God exact day labor, light denied?” Assuming that the talent helps Milton do “day labor”, we can easily see that light is time. “Day labor” then is observing injustices and corruption in high places, and doing something about it. It is true that Milton could hear of the injustice going on around him, but I feel he yearned to see for himself and interpret for himself what was right or wrong. He wanted to be able to give his, “True account,” to God when his time came and hear a deserving, “Well done.” Now, he feels useless.
“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.”
These words, uttered from the mouth of “Patience,” comfort Milton. They tell him that he is not worthless in the kingdom of God on Earth. “They also serve who only stand and wait.” I believe that Milton places himself in the category that “only stand and wait.” His later years are less active by far than his early years. Once he could view corruption and openly write against it. Now he can only hear of it, and then hope that the account is not skewed by biases and personal opinion, or public opinion. The greatest comfort to this poet lies in the last line. He is not a careless steward. He is an attentive servant, waiting to be called upon once again.
Liked it
Well I like it! He he he (Quiet chuckel)
and I like it too, M.C., You have a well written article.
Thanks, Ruby!
Thanks, Ruby!
Thanks, Ruby!
Thanks Rugby
Thanks for comment. It’s nice and comprehensive. Good work!
that was quite helpful. thanks.
Mmm, overall I think you are right that Milton is being ironic because he has found his gift in his use of language, but I think you missed a few things…
The poem is not in AB, AB rhyme… it is ABBA for the first two quatrains and then becomes CDEC DE for the last quatrain and final couplet. I think you’re still right that the standard sonnet rhyme in the first two quatrains gives a natural feel. Milton probably did this because he, a man, is talking in those lines… but it is interesting that he switches to the wild CDEC DE for the last 6 lines, which can better be read CDE CDE… this, I think, is to give an unnatural feel because Patience (portrayed as a divine force) is speaking, not Milton. Here, Patience may represent the voice through which god speaks to Milton, and as you said, Milton ironically speaks it literally since he is the one who wrote it down. This gets into the notion of divine inspiration in poetry, pretty cool…
The other important point at which I disagree with you is in your reading of the line “Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?” This is clearly not God ‘chiding’ Milton because if that were the case, God would be addressing himself and that wouldn’t make any sense. Also, in the line before, Milton says, “lest he returning chide;” A semicolon marks the separation between the quote in the next line, not a colon, which is what he would use if the next line were God speaking.
Rather, in this question, Milton is thinking about asking god ‘do you still expect me to do your work, even though you have taken away my gift of sight?’ But then he goes on to say, “Patience to prevent that murmur soon replies…” This means Patience stopped him from asking that question and therefore, from challenging God for taking away his sight. Then Patience is talking in the next 5 lines, with all sort of enjambments and that crazy rhyme i mentioned before… and patience is saying, in true Protestant fashion, you don’t have to do a million acts to put God in your favor, you just have to be faithful… even if you just stand and wait… Obviously this is still ironic because Milton is still using his gift with language to express himself to the world, and to God…
Thanks Ted! I didn’t notice that! Excellent points!
thanks for the comment. it’s a big help to have an idea to answer my questions about this poem. thanks alot
well, going through above comments, I don’t know how to say, but excellent points.
I am a chinese student, major in English and American Literature, now I know I made a right decision of choosing it as my subject.
add one more words: Milton in this poem God as compassionate and understanding; thus, the tone is gentle and reassuring.
I think you slightly missed the mark on the last line. His message isn’t so much that standing still and waiting for an order is just as important as obeying it. He is trying to illustrate that sometimes one’s role or “Talent” isn’t necessarily heroic or extraordinary by our own standards. Nonetheless, one need not achieve things considered to be exceptionally spectacular in order to be appreciated and honored in the eyes of God. Milton is suggesting that perhaps God doesn’t wish for us to achieve greatness by living heroicly, but instead to live by his will by living humbley, if that is our calling. Catcher in the Rye anyone?
Thank you for your comments!
And thank you, JMS for your insight. I agree completely. I think that “Talent” is just fulfilling one’s purpose on the earth while you’re here. I think that Milton was afraid that he would miss his window of opportunity where fulfilling his God given purpose on earth was concerned. He wanted to capture the fear of “missing the mark” and of one day hearing God say, “Depart from me.” I totally confer with what you are saying. Thank you for your input!
Renhuan, Thank you for your comments as well! I too am an English Major. I hope you do well in all of your classes! I’m so happy to see your assurance in your choice.
this poem is in the form of an italian sonnet, with rhyme scheme ABBA ABBA CDE CDE
Great article. It was clear and coprehensive and helped me a lot.
Thank you! Your comment made my day!
Just wanted to say thanks for your article on this poem. It really helped me to understand the deepth of it.
Happy 400th birthday John Milton!!
And Many More!
I am dumbfounded when I saw this poem, I was looking for some help on my homework when I struck this magnificant gold
(well, to me it is) the many ways you explain the peom is amazing. I only need a minimum of level of 5A but i’m sure it’ll give me over 6!!!
Glad I could help,Ross!
By any chanch woud you know what level/grade I would get if I re-structured your ‘masterpiece’ into different words?
When I submitted it in AP English in High School, my teacher gave me an A or B. That’s what I got on all my papers in that year. You can quote me in this essay if you like.
If you ever need help with argumentative essays, Ross, here’s an essay I wrote for my professor about the process. It may help.
http://www.writinghood.com/Literature/The-DNA-of-Argumentative-Essays.352625
Thank you very much!!!
I got 7c on the assessment, which is reletively high considering i’m in the top class. I am only in year 8, not something high and complicated like university (my teacher did quote that I sounded a bit like a student from one). Are you a teacher? you sound like some beyond the knowledge of the public, wow.
Thanks for putting the essay help on even though I don’t write them yet. The rest of my class were average and got 5A’s, however someone got a 6A, some stiff competition.
Cool! That’s awesome Ross! I’m glad I could help out!
i just wanted to point out something that I was taught in my AP British Lit class this past semester:
My professor told us that the rhyme scheme breaks the sonnet into an octave and sestet, each with their own tone. The octave has an ABBAABBA rhyme scheme, and the sestet has a CDECDE rhyme scheme. The iambic pentameter is off in the octave, which expresses confusion and question, whereas the meter in the sestet is on which expresses resolution and peace.
Wow. That’s beautiful! I did notice Milton’s break in rhyme, but I didn’t notice the iambic pentameter break off. Thanks for sharing! That’s amazing. I like this piece more and more every day.
I’ve just got a essay, a difficult-ish one.
I’ve used your advice and it’s really helped in areas i’m not too confident in. Thanks, again.
i dont understand this stupid poem…… can someone help meeeee……. i think this poem is talking about nothing.:)
i dont understand this stupid poem…… can someone help meeeee……. i think this poem is talking about nothing.:)hi my name is josh… wanna be my friend. im a very lonely person who has no life. please make my life meaningfulllll…… my mom wants me to go out but no one wants to hang out with me.. i just dont understand im 40 years old and i still never had my first girlfriend not even my first kiss the only person i kissed was my mom and my pillow. so please help me.
this poem dont make any sense to me when i first read it!
but i kinda understood it after!
so thank you
and it helped with my presentation in english!
so yeah thanks..lol
but they should just make poems that makes sense…
not like these..lol :}
laugh laugh laugh :}
hahahahaha
Awesome Ross! I’m glad I coudl help again!
Josh are you a writer on Triond? If so send me your last name so I can look you up! Do you know Nick Kenney? He’s a good writer as well.
Um… The analysis about does make a few decent points, but also several wrong ones. The claim that Milton has gone blind ‘ere half my days’ are over does *not* give the impression of time running out: he says he’s gone blind *before* his life is even half over. He’s still got years and years to live with the blindness. Also, why on earth do you think that lack of punctuation provides a sense of emphasis?
He leaves the thought hanging, forces the reader to concider why.
I agree with Katie about “ere half my days”– the original poster missed a key point of the whole poem in sensing time running out. Milton makes it clear that he is struggling with how to live. Why do people post such hasty reactions without pausing to think if they make sense? The poem is about living and faith v. works. I do not believe in an anthropomorphic or human centered god, but the poem is hauntily beautiful and meaningful in terms of human needs and drives.
When I Consider How my Light is Spent
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
Lodg’d 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-labour, 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
Hi,i am an Algerian student of English.your research is excelent.I just have something to add:in the 1st line “spent” refers ‘propably’to spending his sight in the service of God.Thank you so much.
Yes, you’re perfectly right Marwa. “Spent” suggests time elapsing and points to Milton’s misgivings about his incapacity to fulfill his promise of devout service… Keep up the good work,
Your Teacher who taught you Milton!
OH MY GOODNESS!!!!
This is my very first time reading this poem (in my 12th grade English Literature class) and I was totally confussed until I read these comments!!!
THANK GOD FOR THE INTERNET && VERY SMART PEOPLE!!!
:]]
This page gets better everytime I read it, and I’ve read it about 100 times!
Everybody happy?
Please continue to let me know what you think.
I’m sure lots of people are happy and satisfied with the incredible work you’ve shown which you’re clearly capable of. And I speak for everyone at this thread, that this is the best comment/commentary on a poem, which is difficult to decipher let alone understand it. Yes it’s still the same Ross that’s been… monitoring this particular thread.
Ross! Thank you very much for responding to my little query! I’m glad you like it! I hope everyone else responds as strongly… if not as positively.
How are your English classes going?
“They also serve who stand and wait”….these lines I guess
(1) Milton’s inability to do any service at the desired level.
(2) those who did not have a chance to serve God….meaning serving fellow human being are waiting with the fond hope of serving sooner or later. I stress this point as an important one
because people got that determination to serve and they are waiting to accomplish the tasks to the best of their ability.
Will someone throw more light on my comment?
My email id : mks27516@gmail.colm
Bye and good wishes,
m.k.subramanian
Your comment is good, new found reasons are worth knowing, m.k.submarian.
M.C. Johnson: My teacher was very impressed that I managed to come up with that, usually I score really low although in the top set… too bad the girl I had a crush on wasn’t in that class…
Hello?
I’ve been checking this thread and still no response, are you ok?
If you caould respond just to say you’re ok then I’d greatly appreciate it.
hmm… You seem to have changed the text significantly and the facts are completely different, I think you should’ve used the last text but slightly re-phrased differently if you thought it was going to be… old…?
Hey Ross! I’m sorry I didn’t comment, I just was away from the web for a while. I changed it because I felt I could pull more out of it. I’m glad you liked the original, I think you might have been the only one who did aside from a few loyal friends! If you like I’ll post it under a new name so you can read it again.
I don’t mind the new format, it think it is a major improvment from the last one. I think that when you said ‘I felt I could pull more out of it’, that is positively true, plus you’ve added all the suggested improvements the community mentioned. You don’t have to post it again, I’m happy with this commentary.
Full marks for you!
I’m in year 9 next year. Damn.
Awww! Ross, don’t be too upset! That was my best year. It will be fun, I’m sure. You’ll meet old friends and make new ones… it’ll be great!
The more I thnk ‘It’ll be great’ the more real it seems… You’re probably right… hmm… Do you still go to school? A teacher?
Anyways this new kid joined and he is a jerk, a plain jerk. On the other hand my old regular friends are less jerkish, If that’s right.
When I first read your commentary (December 11, 2008 at 11:43 am) I realised that I sucked at presentations, I stuttered, basically a nervous breakdown. Fast forward to the final speaking and listening assessment in july, I was speaking fluent english, ‘enthuistic’ and umm… Good? well, my TOP SET classmates was struggling to get past Level 5; A few decent people got a low Level 6. Guess what I got? Level 7! Twice. Due to the ’suprise assessment’. My classmates was finding it difficult to listen to my advanced words, basically protagonist, atagonist, long words. I started to put structure into what I was saying, instead of improvising. People started to respect me, girls was starting to show interest, hugs, compliments and general flirting. Then the school year ended. I cannot thank you enough, one week left until school and I’m preparing for another long, hard, deadly war. Right… Thanks. Alot.
Wow Ross! That’s awesome! I’m so proud of you! I’m not a teacher just yet, but I’m studying to be. I’m in college. Second year. Keep wowing them with your expansive, prolific vocabulary! That’s what I love to hear. I know what you mean about presentations! I used to fumble too. It just takes a little patience, and like you’ve discovered, it helps to have a good grip on what you’re talking about. Keep up the good work and keep me posted!
When you make it as a teacher, I think you’ll suceed, you can motivate and teach the students perfectly well. You’ve clearly shown this skill in the commentary, with umm… I’m also running out of things to talk about… I also made a account, managed to change the password into something else, memorable. I’ll tell you more when I get back to school, where the main bulk of action is.
Awesome! That’s great! Can’t wait to read some of your stuff. I hope you’re right about the motivation! The English department here just asked me to tutor for pay! I’m excited about it. It’s good hearing from you. I’ll talk more with you soon.
Doyou see the ‘69 likes’ section? I’m no. 69! I’ve written one article on authspot, may I ask, do you know how many sister sites triond has?
Hey Ross! Actually I didn’t, but it gave me a big boost. I’m not sure for certain, but I know there’s Quazen, Newsflavor, Gameolosophy, Writinghood, Sportales,HealthMad, Webupon, Gomestic and a few others. It all depends on what you write about and what category you select when you publish it. There’s nearly something for everybody on Triond. Have fun writing!
How did the tutoring go? My english class (and I’m still in the top set) is finally starting to learn how to read in between the lines and see what the author is trying to achieve, The class is doing Shakespeare, I’m not a big fan of shakespeare’s works, but any will do! How are you doing with teaching people? Enthusiastic?
Still waiting on the people to get back to me. Meanwhile, I’m helping friends with their papers and things. It’s going well. I know I’m going to love teaching. I’m right there with you on the Bard. He amuses me, but I wouldn’t read him on my own. What play or sonnet are you reading now?
Me and my class are anaylaysing Twelfth night, everything is all riddles and jumbo… to them! I am not so clueless as them. And I have you to thank. I’m sure you’ll love teaching people and you make a great friend helping people with the stuff they don’t get.
Aww, thanks. I’m glad you’re geting Twelfth Night! That’s awesome. You’ll do well in English and on your SAT I’m sure.
If you ever have to read the Epic of Gilgamesh or Homer’s The Iliad check out my stuff on Bookstove in the classics. I’m thinking of throwing in a summery on Oedipus Rex too. Who knows!
I am currently doing terrible in english, the reason being that the teacher never does analysis on writing any more, the teacher doesn’t even do speaking and listening assessments! Those two factors are where I thrive upon, withiut them, I’m just the standard pupil, unable to practice the skills. *sniff*
Wow. That’s horrible. The teacher’s only letting you read without doing any of the regular English work? That’s insane! I don’t think I’d like that either. Are you guys writing? I can’t even think of how a class like that would look! Keep you head up. Maybe it will change… hopefully
The dude was an English scribbler who railed against the King. He was sentenced to death by Charles 11 for supporting the butcher Cromwell and all the atrocities that this mad general committed. His seed (Milton’s) was poisoned by drink as his father was a syphillis infected drunk. Milton’s mother
His death sentence was lifted by Charles after he promised to refrain from rabble-rousing and when old Charlie boy discovered he had lost his sight.
Your piece was well written M.C. with only one syntactical boo boo ‘ religious arena’s failed’. Arenas is plural here…. no need for the apostrophe.
I wish you well in your studies.
Thank you for your comment Derek. Do you like Milton’s poetry or find that the events of his life taint his works?