The
poet reflects on his blindness. He has become blind in the middle of his life.
He therefore cannot make proper use of his poetic talent which is spiritual
death for him to hide. His soul is earnestly desirous of serving God with his
own talent that God have given him. He wishes to render a true account of his
powers to God. He is afraid that god will rebuke him for not using his power. (Lines
1-6)
He
anxiously asks-Does God require of a blind man’s service? (Lines 7-8)
Patient
thinking make the poet conclude that God needs neither the service of man nor
an account of the gifts bestowed by Him on man. Those who resign themselves to
the will of God serve Him best. (Lines 9-10)
God is
invested with royal power. Thousands of angels fly swiftly over land and sea to
do His bidding. Those who have faith in God and calmly submit to God’s powers
also render him services. (Lines 11-14)
The
word “talent” has been used in more senses than one. In the Bible concept it
means a coin or more generally speaking money. When the master gives some
money, it is his duty to make use of it and increase it. Figuratively talent is
a quality and therefore wealth. In this sense even vision may be recorded as a
talent. It is by using one’s vision that one can do a lot of things. Milton was
a pious Christian. His devotion and dedication to God are evident in the poem.
Theme:
God judges humans
on whether they labor for Him to the best of their ability. For example, if one
carpenter can make only two chairs a day and another carpenter can make five,
they both serve God equally well if the first carpenter makes his two chairs
and the second makes his five. If one carpenter becomes severely disabled and
cannot make even a single chair, he remains worthy in the sight of God. For, as
Milton says in the last line of the poem, "they also serve who only stand
and wait."
