|
أكـاديـمـي فـعّـال
|
رد: •• {{ 2nd year English students cafe ««
هذي من قروب حصة
قصيدة الأعمى >>افهموها عاد
And post o’er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait.”
http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poem/1457.html
This poem is a classic. For decades it has thrilled readers and been the discussion of many literary and academic conversations. It is a popular favorite with high school English teachers across America. Many read the poem to pick out the meaning; some think that the poem is a discussion about his blindness; others feel that the poem speaks of religious duty; still others argue that the poem is about the importance of time. In fact, I think that all of these arguments are partly correct, but more importantly, I feel that the composing of this poem was Milton’s effort to comfort himself.
“When I Consider How My Light Is Spent,” is Milton’s first and only poem that appears to be about his blindness. At the time of this poem’s composition, Milton was blind. His daughter who took dictations for him held the pen that inked Milton into literary immortality. A brief study of Milton’s life, however, will show that all of his life, he was an active, independent, advocate of rights in religion and an amazingly tenacious seeker of government reform. Though most of his endeavors in the political and religious arena’s failed, (he was a Protestant), he stuck to his guns… even when it was arguably unwise to do so. Understandably, a blind Milton would feel some angst at having lost his sight.
There are many who believe that the “light” in Milton’s poem is time. If that is so, then let’s assume that “that one talent which is death to hide,” was his poetry . I have raised this sugesstion because after reading biographies on Milton and seeing how active he was and how he used his writing skills to try to affect change in his world it seemed the most obvious, “talent” that stood in danger of being hidden; unless, of course, the “talent” is Milton’s eyes, which are indeed, “Lodged within [him] useless.” Here I must make a choice, is the talent Milton’s poetry or his sight? Here is my case: Milton used his eyes in the days of his youth to observe injustices, and then used his hands and pen to attempt to right them. I am convinced however, that the “talent” he is “hiding” is eyesight, given to him by a “Maker.” Why am I convinced? Naturally, the following lines prove my point:
“And that one talent which is death to hide//Lodg’d with me useless, though my soul more bent//To serve therewith my Maker, and present//My true account.”
These lines tell me beyond a shadow of a doubt that Milton is eager to “right wrongs” again. He wants to change his world. He wants to try to change something, but he can’t. His sight lies lodged within him useless, though he longs to serve his Master with it, and give his true account of the injustices and corruption around him. I know that the talent is not poetry because Milton can still dictate. He can indeed write through his daughter. Yes, many may argue that he cannot pick up a pen and write whenever he pleases, being blind, but his hands are not lodged within him useless; his eyes are.
Here again we return to the issue of “light.” What is it? It is time. Milton clears up any doubts with his query, “Does God exact day labor, light denied?” Assuming that the talent helps Milton do “day labor”, we can easily see that light is time. “Day labor” then is observing injustices and corruption in high places, and doing something about it. It is true that Milton could hear of the injustice going on around him, but I feel he yearned to see for himself and interpret for himself what was right or wrong. He wanted to be able to give his, “True account,” to God when his time came and hear a deserving, “Well done.” Now, he feels useless.
“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.”
These words, uttered from the mouth of “Patience,” comfort Milton. They tell him that he is not worthless in the kingdom of God on Earth. “They also serve who only stand and wait.” I believe that Milton places himself in the category that “only stand and wait.” His later years are less active by far than his early years. Once he could view corruption and openly write against it. Now he can only hear of it, and then hope that the account is not skewed by biases and personal opinion, or public opinion. The greatest comfort to this poet lies in the last line. He is not a careless steward. He is an attentive servant, waiting to be called upon once again.
|