Word Meaning

On his twenty third birthday 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.