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Analysis of Sonnet 19 & Sonnet 23 of John Milton.

 Introduction

John Milton, the 17th century poet is widely known for his celebrated works like Paradise Lost, L'Allegro, Il Penseroso etc. However, during his lifetime, he also had written sonnets which stands as a testament of his poetic prowess. In this article, let me introduce two of his famous sonnets; Sonnet 19 and Sonnet 23.


Sonnet 19

When I consider how my light is spent,

Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,

And that one Talent which is death to hide

Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent

To serve therewith my Maker, and present

My true account, lest he returning chide;

“Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”

I fondly ask. But patience, to prevent

That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need

Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best

Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state

Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed

And post o’er Land and Ocean without rest:

They also serve who only stand and wait.”



Summary

Sonnet 19 by Milton, titled "When I Consider How My Light is Spent," reflects on the poet's loss of vision and his questioning of how best to serve God despite his physical limitations. The sonnet opens with the poet contemplating the diminishing of his eyesight, lamenting how he has been "half in night" and unable to use his talent for writing as he once did. He fears that God will hold him accountable for not fully utilizing his gift.

However, as the sonnet progresses, the poet's perspective shifts. He begins to realize that God does not demand constant, active service, but rather values a sincere and faithful heart. The poet concludes that God does not require him to work tirelessly in the "workshop of his mind" but only to be patient and bear his fate with grace. He acknowledges that God's expectations are not measured by outward accomplishments but by inner devotion and trust.

In essence, Sonnet 19 explores themes of faith, humility, and acceptance in the face of adversity, with the poet ultimately finding solace in the idea that God's love and understanding transcend physical limitations.


Themes & Analysis

Let's analyze this sonnet in more detail:

1. Title and Opening Line: The title itself suggests a reflection on one's life and abilities, while the opening line, "When I consider how my light is spent," immediately introduces the central theme of the poem: the speaker's diminishing eyesight, which symbolizes his diminishing abilities.

2. Loss of Sight: Throughout the sonnet, the poet expresses a sense of loss and frustration about his blindness. His "light" refers to both his physical eyesight and his intellectual or creative abilities. The loss of sight becomes a metaphor for his inability to continue writing and serving God as he once did.

3. Initial Despair: In the first eight lines (the octave), the speaker expresses a sense of despair and fear that he has not made the most of his talents and that God will judge him harshly for not using them effectively. He fears that God, who expects a return on His investment (the "talent"), will reprimand him for failing to fulfill his potential.

4. Shift in Perspective: The volta, or the transition point, occurs in the ninth line, where the tone shifts. The speaker begins to reevaluate his perspective. He considers that God's expectations may not be as rigid as he initially thought.

5. God's True Expectations: In the sestet (the final six lines), the speaker reinterprets his relationship with God. He realizes that God's expectations are not solely based on one's outward accomplishments or talents but also on one's inner devotion and faith. The poet recognizes that God values a sincere and humble heart that patiently accepts its circumstances.

6. Acceptance and Grace: The sonnet concludes with a sense of acceptance and grace. The speaker understands that even though he has lost his physical sight and can no longer write as he once did, he can still serve God by bearing his fate with patience and trust. This shift reflects a deeper understanding of God's mercy and a more profound spiritual connection.

7. Poetic Form: Milton's use of the Petrarchan sonnet form, with its octave and sestet, allows for a structured exploration of his changing perspective. The octave presents the problem and initial despair, while the sestet offers the resolution and insight.

8. Acceptance and Resilience: The poem ultimately touches on the themes of acceptance and resilience. Milton learns to accept his circumstances and finds a sense of peace in knowing that God values a patient and trusting heart. This theme highlights the importance of resilience in the face of life's setbacks and difficulties.

In summary, Sonnet 19 is a reflective and spiritual poem that moves from despair and fear of divine judgment to a more profound understanding of God's expectations. It highlights the importance of inner faith, humility, and acceptance in the face of life's challenges, ultimately emphasizing that one's worth in the eyes of God is not solely determined by external achievements but by one's heart and trust in Him.



Sonnet 23

Methought I saw my late espoused saint

Brought to me, like Alcestis, from the grave,

Whom Jove's great son to her glad husband gave,

Rescu'd from death by force, though pale and faint.

Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of child-bed taint

Purification in the old Law did save,

And such as yet once more I trust to have

Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint,

Came vested all in white, pure as her mind;

Her face was veil'd, yet to my fancied sight

Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd

So clear as in no face with more delight.

But Oh! as to embrace me she inclin'd,

I wak'd, she fled, and day brought back my night.



Summary

John Milton's Sonnet 23, titled "Methought I Saw My Late Espoused Saint," is a poignant and introspective poem that reflects on the memory of the poet's deceased wife. In this sonnet, Milton vividly describes a dream or vision in which he believes he sees his recently deceased wife. 

In the sonnet, the speaker begins by recounting a dream or vision in which he believed he saw his "late espoused saint," referring to his deceased wife. He describes the vision as vivid and lifelike, as if she were truly present before him. The memory of her beauty and the love they shared fills him with profound grief and longing.

As the vision of his wife continues to appear in his dream, the speaker expresses his desire to hold on to her and keep her presence with him. He reaches out to touch her, but she vanishes like a "sable cloud" or a fleeting shadow. This disappearance symbolizes the ephemeral nature of life and the inevitability of death.

The speaker is left with a profound sense of loss and sadness as he awakens from the dream. He realizes that his beloved wife is no longer alive, and he must grapple with the painful reality of her absence. However, he also finds some solace in the fact that he was able to experience a momentary reunion with her in his dream, even if it was brief and ultimately fleeting.

Overall, Sonnet 23 by John Milton is a heartfelt exploration of grief, memory, and the enduring love that transcends death. It captures the speaker's intense emotions and his longing to be reunited with his beloved, even if only in the realm of dreams and memories.


Themes & Analysis

Here is a detailed analysis of this sonnet:

1. Title and Opening Line: The title immediately sets the tone and theme of the poem. The opening line, "Methought I saw my late espoused saint," introduces the dream-like quality of the poem, with the speaker recounting a vivid vision or dream.

2. Grief and Loss: The central theme of the sonnet is grief and loss. The speaker's "late espoused saint" refers to his recently deceased wife. He is haunted by her memory and the pain of her absence, which is a profound source of sorrow for him.

3. Imagination and Memory: The sonnet explores the power of the imagination and memory to conjure up vivid and lifelike images of the past. The speaker's dream is so real that he believes he is in the presence of his beloved wife once more. This highlights the ability of the mind to provide solace and comfort in times of grief.

4. Transcendence of Death: While the speaker is acutely aware of his wife's death, the poem suggests that love and memory have the power to transcend death. In his dream, the speaker experiences a brief reunion with his wife, even if it is only in his imagination. This reflects the idea that love can persist beyond the physical realm.

5. Ephemeral Nature of Life: The poem touches on the fleeting and ephemeral nature of life. The speaker reaches out to touch his wife in the dream, but she vanishes like a "sable cloud." This image underscores the idea that life is transient, and moments of happiness and connection can be all too brief.

6. Intense Emotion: Milton's use of language and imagery conveys the intense emotion of the speaker. His grief and longing are palpable throughout the sonnet, and the vivid descriptions of the dream create a sense of emotional depth.

7. Closure and Acceptance: The sonnet doesn't offer a resolution or closure in the conventional sense. Instead, it captures a moment of intense emotion and reflection. The speaker grapples with the reality of his wife's death but also finds solace in the dream that allowed him to briefly relive their connection.

Overall, Sonnet 23 by John Milton is a moving exploration of grief and the power of memory and imagination to provide solace in the face of loss. It highlights the enduring nature of love and the profound impact of the past on the present. The poem's emotional intensity and vivid imagery make it a powerful expression of mourning and remembrance.


Conclusion

In conclusion, Sonnet 19 by John Milton is a rich and contemplative poem that addresses themes of loss, disability, purpose, faith, acceptance, and spiritual connection. It offers readers a glimpse into the poet's personal struggles and his profound reflections on how to find meaning and purpose in the face of life's limitations and adversities. Whereas Sonnet 23 suggests themes of grief, memory, imagination, love, the transcendent power of love over death, the impermanence of life, sensory experiences, and a touch of spirituality. Through its emotionally charged verses, the sonnet explores the complex interplay of these themes in the context of the speaker's mourning for his beloved wife.

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