On his twenty third birthday by John Milton | How soon hath time | On his having arrived at the age of twenty-three | On his twenty third birthday | John Milton | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Critical Appreciation | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
On His Twenty third Birthday
(On his having arrived at the age of twenty-three)
How soon hath Time
How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth,
Stol’n on his wing my three-and-twentieth year!
My hasting days fly on with full career,
But my late spring no bud or blossom shew’th.
Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth
That I to manhood am arriv’d so near;
And inward ripeness doth much less appear,
That some more timely-happy spirits endu’th.
Yet be it less or more, or soon or slow,
It shall be still in strictest measure ev’n
To that same lot, however mean or high,
Toward which Time leads me, and the will of Heav’n:
All is, if I have grace to use it so
As ever in my great Task-Master’s eye.
line-by-line explanation of the poem
Line 1: How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth,
The speaker begins by personifying time as a “subtle thief” that steals away one’s youth.
Line 2: Stol’n on his wing my three-and-twentieth year!
The speaker realizes that his twenty-third year of life has passed quickly.
Line 3: My hasting days fly on with full career,
The days are rushing by at full speed.
Line 4: But my late spring no bud or blossom shew’th.
However, the later part of my life (late spring) shows no signs of new growth or blossoming.
Line 5: Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth
It’s possible that my outward appearance may not reflect the reality.
Line 6: That I to manhood am arriv’d so near;
that he is indeed close to becoming a man.
Line 7: And inward ripeness doth much less appear,
Furthermore, the inner maturity is even less evident.
Line 8: That some more timely-happy spirits endu’th.
The speaker compares himself to other young people who seem to be more mature than he is.
Line 9: Yet be it less or more, or soon or slow,
Regardless of whether it’s less or more, or it happens quickly or slowly,
Line 10: It shall be still in strictest measure ev’n
It will still be in accordance with the strictest standard.
Line 11: To that same lot, however mean or high,
It will be determined by fate, whether it’s humble or grand,
Line 12: Toward which Time leads me, and the will of Heav’n:
The speaker says that he is following the path that Time and God have laid out for him.
Line 13: All is, if I have grace to use it so
Everything depends on whether I have the grace to use it in that way,
Line 14: As ever in my great Task-Master’s eye.
Just as it has always been in the sight of my great Task-Master (referring to God).
Word Meaning
| Line | Word | Meaning | Meaning in Hindi |
| 1 | subtle | difficult to detect or grasp; not obvious. | सूक्ष्म |
| 1 | youth | Young man | युवा |
| 2 | wing | feather | पंख |
| 2 | Stol’n | past participle of the verb “to steal.” | चुरा लिया |
| 3 | hasting | moving or happening quickly. | जल्दीबाजी |
| 3 | career | swift and headlong movement. | गति |
| 4 | late | happening or coming after the usual or expected time. | देर से |
| 4 | bud | a small, round part of a plant that develops into a flower or leaf. | कली |
| 4 | blossom | the flower of a tree or other plant. | फूल |
| 5 | semblance | an outward appearance or manifestation. | झलक |
| 5 | deceive | to lead astray by false appearances. | धोखा देना |
| 6 | manhood | the state of being a man. | मर्दानगी |
| 7 | inward | inside. | अंतर्निहित |
| 7 | ripeness | a state of maturity or development. | परिपक्वता |
| 8 | timely-happy | happening or occurring at the right time and bringing happiness. | समय पर खुश |
| 8 | endu’th | endures. | सहता है |
| 9 | Yet | So far | अभी तक |
| 10 | strictest | most severe or demanding. | सख्त |
| 10 | measure | the extent or amount of something. | माप |
| 11 | mean | of low social status or importance. | नीचा |
| 12 | Heavn | Heaven / God | स्वर्ग / ईश्वर |
| 13 | grace | the free and unmerited favor of God. | कृपा |
| 14 | Task-Master | God | ईश्वर |
Summary
In the sonnet “On his twenty third birthday” by John Milton, the poet reflects on the swift passage of time and his sense of growing older. He laments that at the age of twenty-three, he feels that he hasn’t achieved the maturity and success that others may have reached by that age. He acknowledges that he may not appear as mature as he should for his age.
Despite this, the poet resolves to accept his fate, whether it leads to a humble or lofty outcome, and to use his time and abilities according to God’s will. The poem expresses a sense of resignation to the passage of time and a commitment to live in a way that aligns with the divine plan.
Key Points
Author: The poem was written by John Milton, a renowned English poet and intellectual who lived during the 17th century.
Theme: The theme of the poem is the passage of time, growing older, and accepting one’s fate.
Sonnet: “On His Twenty third Birthday” is a sonnet, a type of poem that traditionally has 14 lines and a specific rhyme scheme. It follows the Petrarchan sonnet form.
Time as a Thief: The poem begins with the poet personifying Time as a cunning thief that steals youth. The poet feels that time has swiftly taken away his twenty-three years.
Fast-Flying Bird: The poet compares Time to a fast-flying bird, indicating how quickly it passes.
Late Maturity: Despite being twenty-three years old, the poet feels that his mental maturity has not yet arrived. He believes that his intellectual development is still in progress.
Unfulfilled Potential: The poet laments that he hasn’t yet produced any significant works of literature, despite his age.
Misleading Appearance: The poet suggests that his youthful looks might give others the wrong impression about his mental maturity. People might assume he is capable of great works because of his age, but he doesn’t feel fully matured yet.
Comparison with Others: The poet believes that Time blesses other people of his age with more mental maturity. However, he feels he hasn’t yet gained the mental power to create the extraordinary literary works he is destined for.
Acceptance of God’s Will: The poet expresses a desire for his inner maturity to develop at its own pace. He is aware that Time and Destiny are leading him towards a particular path. He hopes to accept God’s will in whatever form it comes to him.
Trust in God: Ultimately, the poet places his trust in God. He believes that God will inspire him to produce his best work when the time is right.
Conclusion: The poem is a reminder that time is precious and that we should not take it for granted. We should use our time wisely and make the most of every opportunity.
Very Short Answer Questions
Who wrote the poem “On His Twenty third Birthday”?
Answer: John Milton.
How does the poet describe Time in the poem?
Answer: The poet describes Time as “the subtle thief of youth.”
What age has the poet reached in the poem?
Answer: The poet has reached his twenty-third year.
What does the poet lament about his life in the poem?
Answer: He laments that he hasn’t achieved as much as he expected by this age.
What does the poet mean by “late spring” in the poem?
Answer: “Late spring” refers to the later part of the poet’s life.
What might deceive the truth about the poet’s age and maturity?
Answer: The poet’s outward appearance might deceive the truth.
What does the poet express willingness to accept in the poem?
Answer: The poet expresses a willingness to accept his fate, whether humble or grand.
To whom does the poet refer as the “Task-Master” in the poem?
Answer: The poet refers to God as the “Task-Master.”
What does the poet mean by “strictest measure” in the poem?
Answer: The poet means that his life will be determined by a strict standard or measure.
What guides the poet toward his destiny in the poem?
Answer: Time guides the poet toward his destiny.
What does the poet suggest about his outward appearance in the poem?
Answer: The poet suggests that his outward appearance might not accurately reflect his inner maturity.
What is the central theme of the poem?
Answer: The central theme of the poem is the passage of time, growing older, and accepting one’s fate in accordance with divine will.
What is the poet’s age at the beginning of the poem?
Answer: The poet is twenty-three years old at the beginning of the poem.
What does the poet mean by “full career” in the poem?
Answer: “Full career” refers to the rapid passage of time and the poet’s days moving swiftly.
What does the poet mean by “inward ripeness” in the poem?
Answer: “Inward ripeness” refers to inner maturity or personal development.
‘But my late spring no bud or blossom sheweth’.
(a) What does ‘spring’ refer to?
(b) How is it late?
Answer: (a) ‘Spring’ refers to maturity. Maturity that poet has not gained with age.
(b) It is late as he has not seen bud or blossom. There is no sign of maturity that is visible.
All is, if I have grace to use it so,
As ever in my Taskmaster’s eye.
What has grace been spoken of in the above lines?
Answer: Grace is the extra time that the poet wishes to have to compensate his loss.
How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth,
Stolen on his wing my three and twentieth year!
My hastign day fly on with full career,
But my late spring no bud or blossom sheweth.
(i) What has time stolen from the poet?
(ii) Find out the words from the extract which have the same meaning as the words given below:
(a) something not noticeable or obvious.
(b) flower which has not yet opened its petals.
(iii) Give the superlative degree of the word ‘soon’.
Answers:
(i) The time has stolen youth from the poet in the form of twenty-three years.
(ii) (a) subtle
(b) bud.
(iii) ‘Soonest’ is the superlative degree of the word ‘soon’.
Short Answer Questions
Question 1: What is the central theme of the poem?
Answer: The central theme of the poem is the passage of time and the poet’s reflection on his own mortality. The poet laments the fact that he is growing older and that he has not yet achieved the maturity and success that he feels he should have by his age.
Question 2: What does the poet mean when he says “But late spring no bud or blossom shew’th”?
Answer: The poet is comparing his own life to a spring that has not yet bloomed. He is saying that he feels immature and underdeveloped.
Question 3: What does the speaker mean when he says “And inward ripeness doth much less appear”?
Answer: The poet is saying that he does not feel as mature on the inside as he does on the outside. He is still learning and growing.
Question 4: What does the poet mean when he says “Yet be it less or more, or soon or slow, It shall be still in strictest measure ev’n”?
Answer: The poet is saying that he accepts his fate, whatever it may be. He knows that God has a plan for his life, and he is content with that.
Question 5: What does the poet mean when he says “All is, if I have grace to use it so As ever in my great Task-Master’s eye”?
Answer: The poet is saying that he wants to use his time and abilities in a way that pleases God. He knows that he is accountable to God for his actions, and he wants to live a life that is worthy of his calling.
Question 6: What is the speaker’s tone in the poem?
Answer: The speaker’s tone in the poem is reflective and resigned. He is accepting of his own limitations and mortality, and he is committed to living a life that is in accordance with God’s will.
Question 7: What is the poem’s significance?
Answer: The poem is significant because it explores universal themes of time, mortality, and faith. It is a reminder that we are all accountable to God for our lives, and that we should use our time and abilities wisely.
Question 8: What lessons can we learn from the poem?
Answer: We can learn several lessons from the poem, including:
The passage of time is inevitable, and we should cherish the time that we have.
We should not compare ourselves to others, but focus on our own personal growth and development.
We should accept our limitations and mortality.
We should use our time and abilities in a way that pleases God.
Question 9: How does the poem relate to our own lives?
Answer: The poem relates to our own lives in many ways. We all experience the passage of time, and we all face challenges and setbacks. The poem reminds us that we should not give up hope, but continue to strive to live our lives in a way that is aligned with our values and beliefs.
Question 10: What is the poem’s legacy?
Answer: The poem’s legacy is that it continues to inspire and resonate with readers today. It is a reminder that we are all human, and that we all share the same struggles and hopes. The poem also offers a message of hope and encouragement, reminding us that we can overcome any challenge with God’s help.
Question 11: What has time stolen from the poet?
Answer: In this poem, the poet makes a complain blaming Time that it has stolen the prime part of his life. The twenty-three years of his life passed away so hastily that the poet failed to mature himself. His career could not be perfect. Although his appearance is now mature, he still requires time for the maturity of his career. There is a lack of inner maturity.
Question 12: What deceives the truth?
Answer: Here, the poet refers that now he is mature in age. His appearance can deceive one about his inner maturity which is still unripe. Time did not give him an opportunity to attain the ripeness of his poetic talent. He has lost his career. His appearance is deceiving.
Question 13: What will be in the strictest measure?
Answer: As this poem is devotional in tone, the poet says that whatever one gets or does, it is the ruling of God. God distributes everything to everyone in the strictest measure. For him, there is no distinction between high or low. He observes everything equally and allots everyone equally.
Question 14: How does the poet console himself?
Answer: The poet here feels sorry for he could not make his career properly. His talent is still unripe. Time has stolen the twenty-three years of his life without notice. It has deceived him. However, the poet consoles himself with the plea that whatever he has achieved was the wish of God. God gives anything to anyone without any reservation. God being the Taskmaster controls everything.
Essay Type Questions
Q. Write the critical appreciation of the poem?
Introduction
The poem On His Having Arrived at the Age of Twenty-three is a devotional sonnet written in an autobiographical tone. It contains Milton’s reflections of late maturing. The dominating passion of his life is to justify the ways of God to man and write in praise of God. Here, he blames Time for stealing away his youth without repairing his poetic talent .He uses the sonnet form of poetry to produce a personal utterance that combines dignity of lone, flexibility of movement and mastery of structure.
Themes
The passage of time and mortality: The speaker is acutely aware of the passage of time and his own mortality. He laments the fact that he is growing older and that he has not yet achieved the maturity and success that he feels he should have. This theme is evident in the first four lines of the poem:
How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth,
Stol’n on his wing my three-and-twentieth year!
My hasting days fly on with full career,
But my late spring no bud or blossom shew’th.
Faith in God: The speaker’s faith in God is central to the poem. He knows that he is accountable to God for his life, and he is committed to living in a way that pleases God. This is evident in the final couplet of the poem:
All is, if I have grace to use it so
As ever in my great Task-Master’s eye.
Structure and Form
“On His Being Arrived at the Age of Twenty-Three” is a traditional Italian sonnet, consisting of 14 lines in iambic pentameter with a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA CDECDE. This structure gives the poem a sense of order and balance, which is appropriate for the poem’s themes of faith and acceptance.
Poetic Devices
Milton uses a variety of poetic devices in “On His Twenty third Birthday,” including:
Metaphor: Milton compares time to a “subtle thief” in the first line of the poem. This metaphor suggests that time is fleeting and that it can easily steal away our youth and our lives.
Personification: Milton personifies time in the first line of the poem by giving it wings. This makes time seem more real and threatening.
Enjambment: Milton uses enjambment throughout the poem to create a sense of flow and movement. This is particularly effective in the first four lines of the poem, where the speaker describes the rapid passage of time.
Caesura: Milton uses caesura throughout the poem to create pauses and emphasis. This is particularly effective in the final couplet of the poem, where the speaker emphasizes his commitment to living a life that pleases God.
Conclusion
“On His Twenty third Birthday” is a beautifully crafted sonnet that explores the themes of the passage of time, mortality, and faith. The poem is both personal and universal, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
Q. Briefly describe Milton’s feelings on his having arrived at the age of twenty-three.
Answer: On His Having Arrived at the age of Twenty-three is poet’s reflections on his late maturing. He has attained the age of twenty-three. He takes it as a loss of his life. He feels that it has approached in such a manner that he could not notice it. The prime of his life is lost. He couldn’t mind his career. He couldn’t achieve the height of the poetic talent. He feels being cheated or deceived by the time which has taken away his ripening period without notice. The poet is not at all happy but one thing gives him relief is that it was the will of God.
Q. Analyse the poem as a Petrarchan Sonnet.
Answer: Sonnet is a short poem of fourteen lines expressing a single thought or emotion at a time. It owes its popularisation to the 14th century Italian poet Franesco Petrarch who used this poetic form to express his love for his idealised lady love, laura. John Milton uses the original Italian (Petrarchan) form to express his devotion to God or sublime feelings.
In this form, the poem Is divided into two parts the octave (a stanza of eight lines) and the sestet (a stanza of six lines). The first part makes a statement or puts up a question while the second part illustrates or serves the answer to it. On Being Arrived at the Age of Twenty-three is a devotional sonnet in Petrarchan form. It is a striking example of the Renaissance ethos and Reformation zeal. It is an assertion of faith and a wish to be guided by the divine will.
