On His Blindness | Milton's use of the allusion to the Parable of Talents

On His Blindness | Milton's use of the allusion to the Parable of Talents

Q. Critically discuss Milton's use of the allusion to the Parable of Talents in the poem "On His Blindness".

Answer: "On His Blindness," is a remarkable sonnet of John Milton. The poet has drawn an allusion to the Parable of the Talents. The allusion is drawn from the Gospel of Matthew. It shows a keen looking at the personal responsibility, faith, and the struggle with adversity. The Parable tells of a master. He entrusts his servants with talents (a form of currency) to invest while he is away. When he returns after a long time, the master honors those who have used their talents properly. And the master also punishes the one who hides his talent out of fear.

1. Context and Personal Struggle

Milton wrote the poem, "On His Blindness" around 1655 and it was published in 1673. But he got blinded completely in the year 1652. Obviously, at that time he was struggling with his own blindness. Milton viewed his lack of sight as a significant personal loss and a hindrance to his poetic vocation. The parable's allusion reflects Milton's anxiety over how he might serve God without the ability to write. He feels a deep internal conflict between his desire and physical ability. He thought how to contribute to the world through his writings. Very clearly he perceived the limitations imposed by his blindness.

2. Themes of Duty and Faith

The allusion emphasizes the theme of duty. Milton reflects on the theme of divine gifts. We must use the gifts that the God gifted us. This theme is illustrated in the parable. He questions whether he can still fulfill his divine duty despite his physical limitations. This struggle leads to a sense of guilt and fear. Milton gets fear whether he can be able to fulfill the God's expectations. In the context of the parable, the fear of being unproductive resonates with Milton's anxiety. Each and every moment, he gets fear about not using his "talents" effectively.

3. Divine Justice and Grace

Milton analyzes the justice of God in order to evoke the 'Parable of Talents' allusion in his poem. According to the parable, God anticipates a return on His commitments. However, Milton says, God is also forgiving. In due course of the sonnet the poet reveals a shift from despair to understanding. He realizes that God does not require success in the worldly sense but rather faithfulness and intention. This understanding alleviates his fears. It allows him to accept his condition with grace.

4. The Function of Submission and Patience

The roles of patience and submission to divine will are mentioned in the final two lines. Milton highlights that people will find fulfillment in life if they are prepared to serve God. It doesn't matter what the situation may be. Milton's use of the parable of the sonnet is very similar to the acceptance of God's plan. He argues that a person's value is not determined by the number of their talents. But it resides in the willingness of God.

5. Conclusion: A Broader Message

Thus, Milton's allusion to the Parable of the Talents in "On His Blindness" is one of the central themes of the poem. The parable, hence, serves as a contemplative meditation on human limitations. Here, the nature of divine expectations is also a remarkable element in accordance to the theme of the poem. Besides, in this poem the parable shows the deplorable conditions of human beings. As Milton, himself suffers from his blindness, he urges the readers to serve God, the Almighty with His gifts. In this way Milton transforms his personal struggle into a universal exploration of duty, grace, and the complexities of faith.