On his blindness, Milton

Materie:	Riassunto
Categoria:	Inglese
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Data:	06.04.2007
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The sonnet which means “little song” originated in 13 century Italy and was developed by the Itlian poet Petrarch. In Englad it was imported in the middle of 16th century.

ON HIS BLINDNESS

Milton has chosen the Italian sonnet .
The sonnet is a fixed form , it has 14 lines, which are divided in two part, one octave and one sestet. The form is appropriate to the meaning, in the octave the poet introduces the problem and puts a question, in the sestet he resolves the problem and offers an answer.
The rhyme scheme ABBAABBA CDECDE and it marks the subdivision of the poem.
The stress pattern is a iambic pentametre. The syntax structure is complex because he speaks about his problem. There is the main clause and 6 level of subordination. The language is formal, restrained, dignified and abstract. It isn’t an emotional sonnet.

The sonnet is about the life of the poet. The argument of poem is organized in two parts. The division is at the middle of line 8.

in the octave, he is blind and he doesn’t accept his blindness. He asks himself how he can serve the God with his handicap. The God gives him the poetic talent but he can’t use it because he is blind. In this part there is a sort of complain and he is bit ribellious.

In the sestet there is a resignation the Patience with a personification can speaks like a man. He accepts the blindness because if you can’t serve the Got with your talent you can serve God in onother way.
There are two different ways to serve God: you can stand and wait as the poet or you can rush like the Angels in the sky.

The poet is like the parable which says that you must use the talent whenever is possible and if you haven’t the capability you can rush as celestial creature