Q: Would you agree that Milton reflects on blindness in Sonnets 19 & 23? Give a reasoned answer
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Yes, Milton does indeed reflect on his blindness in Sonnet 19 (also known as When I Consider How My Light is Spent) and Sonnet 23 (often titled Methought I Saw My Late Espousèd Saint), though in different ways and with distinct emotional focuses.
Reflection on Blindness in Sonnet 19
In Sonnet 19, Milton confronts his own blindness directly and meditates on its implications for his life and purpose. He opens by considering how his “light is spent,” a phrase that metaphorically refers to both his blindness and the passing of his creative potential. As a poet and a deeply religious man, Milton wrestles with the idea that his blindness might prevent him from fulfilling his God-given talents. The line “Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?” reveals his inner conflict and his questioning of divine justice.
However, the sonnet reaches a resolution through patience and acceptance. Milton concludes with the famous line, “They also serve who only stand and wait,” which reflects his realization that his value is not solely in his ability to create or “do” but also in his faith and patience in the face of adversity. This sonnet thus reflects his struggle with blindness but ultimately offers a sense of spiritual surrender, emphasizing Milton’s belief that he can still serve God even if he cannot see.
Reflection on Blindness in Sonnet 23
In Sonnet 23, Milton reflects on blindness more indirectly through a deeply personal vision. The sonnet describes a dream in which he sees his late wife, who appears to him in a vision of purity and tranquility. Milton’s wife appears to be restored to him “as one returned / From her sad grave,” which evokes both consolation and sorrow. In his dream, he can see her clearly, which suggests that in his mind’s eye, he can still “see” despite his physical blindness.
The ending of the sonnet—where Milton reaches out to embrace his wife, only to awaken to the darkness of his reality—intensifies the pathos of his blindness. This moment reflects the painful limitations blindness imposes on him, as it robs him of both the physical sight of his beloved and, symbolically, his ability to hold onto the memory of her fully.
Conclusion
Both sonnets indeed reflect on Milton’s blindness, but they do so with differing approaches. Sonnet 19 addresses the intellectual and spiritual struggle Milton faces as a poet and a Christian, grappling with the idea of purpose in the absence of sight. Sonnet 23, on the other hand, captures the personal and emotional toll of blindness, as it prevents him from truly reconnecting with his lost love, even in a dream.
Thus, Milton’s reflections on blindness in these sonnets offer a nuanced view, blending resignation, faith, and a profound sense of loss.