Word Meaning
| Line | Word | Meaning | Meaning in Hindi |
| 1 | Spent | consumed | व्यतीत |
| 2 | Ere | before | पहले |
| 2 | Wide | large or extensive | बड़ा या व्यापक |
| 3 | Death to hide | fatal to conceal | छिपाना मौत के समान है |
| 4 | Lodg’d | placed or established | रखा गया या स्थापित किया गया |
| 4 | Bent | inclined or disposed to do something | कुछ करने के लिए इच्छुक या प्रवृत्त |
| 5 | Maker | the creator of something, especially God | निर्माता, विशेष रूप से ईश्वर |
| 5 | Present | to offer or give something | कुछ पेश करना या देना |
| 6 | Lest | for fear that | ऐसा न हो |
| 6 | Chide | to scold or rebuke | डांटना या फटकारना |
| 7 | Exact | to demand and obtain | मांग करना और प्राप्त करना |
| 7 | Day-labour | hard physical work done during the day | दिन के दौरान किया जाने वाला कठिन शारीरिक श्रम |
| 7 | Denied | Disallowed | अस्वीकृत |
| 8 | Fondly | foolishly or naively | मूर्खतापूर्ण ढंग से या भोलेपन से |
| 8 | Prevent | to stop something from happening | कुछ होने से रोकना |
| 9 | Murmur | a low, soft, indistinct sound | धीमी, नरम, अस्पष्ट ध्वनि |
| 9 | Doth | do | |
| 10 | Gifts | talents or abilities | प्रतिभा या योग्यताएं |
| 11 | Bear | to carry or support | ले जाना या समर्थन करना |
| 11 | Mild | gentle or gentle | कोमल या सौम्य |
| 11 | Yoke | an emblem or symbol of subjection, servitude, slavery, etc. | दासत्व |
| 11 | State | the condition or position of something | किसी चीज की स्थिति या स्थिति |
| 12 | Kingly | suitable for a king or queen | राजा या रानी के लिए उपयुक्त |
| 12 | Bidding | command | आज्ञा |
| 12 | Speed | to move quickly | जल्दी चलना |
| 13 | Post | to travel quickly from one place to another, especially in order to deliver mail or messages | डाक |
| 13 | Land | the part of the Earth’s surface that is not covered by water | भूमि |
| 13 | Ocean | a large body of salt water | महासागर |
On His Blindness Summary
John Milton’s sonnet titled “On His Blindness,” also known as “Sonnet XIX.” In this sonnet, the poet reflects on his own blindness and his sense of not being able to fully utilize his talents for God’s service. He laments the idea that he may be unable to fulfill his purpose in life due to his disability.
The sonnet begins with the speaker contemplating how his “light” or his ability is diminishing, as he has gone blind, before he has reached the middle of his life in a dark and vast world. He refers to his talent, which he believes is meant to serve God but is now “lodged with [him] useless.” He feels a desire to serve God and give an account of his actions but questions whether God expects him to labor in the same way as others, considering his blindness.
In the end, the speaker finds solace in the idea of patience. He realizes that God doesn’t need human work or even the gifts people can offer. Those who accept God’s will and bear his “mild yoke” and patiently endure their circumstances are also serving God, whether they actively work or simply wait. The final line, “They also serve who only stand and wait,” suggests that serving God isn’t just about active work but can also be about patiently accepting one’s situation and trusting in God’s 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 main theme of “On His Blindness” is the exploration of personal loss and faith in God. Milton, who became blind in middle age, reflects on his condition and his relationship with God.
Sonnet: “On His Blindness” is a sonnet, a type of poem that traditionally has 14 lines and a specific rhyme scheme. It follows the Italian or Petrarchan sonnet form.
Metaphor of Talent: The poem uses the metaphor of a ‘talent’, referring to a unit of money in ancient times, to symbolize the poet’s personal abilities or gifts. Milton worries that he is not able to use his talent (his ability to write) due to his blindness.
Religious Imagery: The poem is filled with religious imagery and references to Christian theology. For example, it mentions ‘that one Talent which is death to hide’, referring to the Parable of the Talents in the Bible.
Patience: In the poem, Patience is personified and serves as a comforting figure who reassures the speaker that God does not need man’s work to demonstrate His power.
Conclusion: The poem concludes with the realization that those who bear their mild yoke (their burdens or hardships) and serve God patiently, do indeed serve Him best.
