John Milton criticizes our modern achievement-oriented society in his sonnet “On his blindness” because nowadays performance is a precondition for high regard and appreciation of somebody. However, his poem can serve as a statement in favor of a person’s worthiness independent of one’s performance and workload.
The expression achievement-oriented society means that the distributions of goods like economic resources but also “prestige” and “power” are dependent on the attributed individual’s performance. This functionality is the so called “achievement principle” (Arzberger 24). In other words: Reputation is due to measurable accomplishments. Who does not achieve enough, does not gain any esteem.
In order to examine my thesis I am going to analyze both the sonnet’s poetic and rhetorical form. First of all I am going to point out the gist of the poem briefly.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Milton’s sonnet “On His Blindness”
2.1 Content and the author’s background
2.2 Poetic and rhetorical form
3. Conclusion
4. Works cited
Objectives & Research Themes
This paper aims to analyze John Milton's sonnet "On His Blindness" to challenge the modern achievement-oriented societal perspective, which often equates human worth solely with measurable performance and professional productivity.
- The critique of the "achievement principle" in modern society.
- Milton's personal experience with blindness and religious coping mechanisms.
- The interpretation of the dialogue between the speaker and the personified "Patience."
- The analysis of poetic devices, specifically the use of antithesis in the concluding lines.
- The transferability of 17th-century religious concepts to contemporary secular values regarding human dignity.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2 Poetic and rhetorical form
This poem is an Italian sonnet (also called Petrarchan sonnet) consisting of two quatrains and two tercets. It has got the rhyme scheme: abba abba cde cde.
In the first quatrain the speaker’s conflict is revealed creating a rather dark and gloomy atmosphere (see “dark” in line 2). Consequently, the author aggravates the speaker’s despair in the second quatrain using an inner monologue in lines 7/8: “Doth God exact day-labour, light denied, I fondly ask.”
This question is answered by the personified “patience” leading to one of the most vivid features in this poem: A dialogue the speaker pursues with “patience” (line 8) that comments on God’s immaterial expectations “God doth not need either man’s work or his own gifts” (lines 9/10).
The last verse stands out and serves as some kind of summarized insight into the inner conflict that has been developed. The speaker concludes that “They also serve who only stand and wait” (line 14). This verse is the most important one of the sonnet. Here Milton uses the stylistic device of an antithesis to stress its importance. “They also serve who only stand and wait” is a paradoxical contrast because “wait” and “serve” usually exclude each other.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter defines the core thesis regarding the modern "achievement-oriented society" and introduces Milton's poem as a counter-narrative to the idea that self-worth depends on measurable output.
2. Milton’s sonnet “On His Blindness”: This section explores the biographical context of Milton’s blindness and provides a detailed analysis of the poem’s structure, religious imagery, and the dramatic dialogue between the speaker and Patience.
2.1 Content and the author’s background: This subchapter connects Milton’s personal experience of losing his sight to the religious themes found in the poem, specifically the biblical parable of the talents.
2.2 Poetic and rhetorical form: This subchapter examines the formal qualities of the Italian sonnet, highlighting how stylistic devices like antithesis serve to emphasize the poem's central message.
3. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the findings and argues that the poem’s message remains relevant for a secularized society by promoting the intrinsic worth of the individual regardless of physical or social limitations.
4. Works cited: This chapter lists all bibliographic references used throughout the paper.
Keywords
John Milton, On His Blindness, achievement-oriented society, Petrarchan sonnet, human worth, achievement principle, religious poetry, Patience, antithesis, secularization, disability, human dignity, productivity, labor, social perception.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines John Milton's sonnet "On His Blindness" as a critical reflection on modern society's tendency to measure human worth primarily through individual achievements and work performance.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the impact of the "achievement principle," the intersection of personal physical impairment and religious faith, and the re-evaluation of personal value in a society that often favors productivity over existence.
What is the central research question?
The research explores how the sonnet argues that an individual's worth is independent of their measurable workload or professional accomplishments.
Which methodology is employed for the analysis?
The author utilizes a literary and rhetorical analysis, examining the poem's structure (Italian sonnet), rhyme scheme, and the use of specific stylistic devices like dialogue and antithesis to convey its message.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body focuses on the biographical background of John Milton during the 17th century, the religious context of the poem, and a detailed stylistic analysis of the sonnet's lines.
Which keywords best describe the research?
Central keywords include John Milton, achievement-oriented society, human worth, Petrarchan sonnet, social perception, and human dignity.
How does the "dialogue" in the poem function?
The dialogue involves the speaker and the personified voice of "Patience," which serves to shift the focus from the speaker's despair over his inability to work to a deeper understanding of spiritual service.
What is the significance of the phrase "They also serve who only stand and wait"?
It is identified as the poem's essential statement, using a paradoxical contrast to argue that those who are unable to be physically productive still possess inherent worth and purpose.
- Quote paper
- Julia Wehner (Author), 2011, John Milton’s sonnet “On His Blindness” is a statement on the individual’s worthiness independent of one’s measurable achievements, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/173222
