'To Mr. Cyriack Skinner Upon His Blindness' by John Milton
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The Poetical Works of John MiltonCyriack, this three years day these eys, though clear
To outward view, of blemish or of spot;
Bereft of light thir seeing have forgot,
Nor to thir idle orbs doth sight appear
Of Sun or Moon or Starre throughout the year,
Or man or woman.Yet I argue not
Against heavns hand or will, nor bate a jot
Of heart or hope; but still bear vp and steer
Right onward.What supports me, dost thou ask?
The conscience, Friend, to have lost them overply'dIn libertyes defence, my noble task,
Of which all Europe talks from side to side.
This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask
Content though blind, had I no better guide.
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Analysis of John Milton's "To Mr. Cyriack Skinner Upon His Blindness"
As one of the most influential poets in English literature, John Milton's works have been celebrated and scrutinized for centuries. One of the most intriguing poems is "To Mr. Cyriack Skinner Upon His Blindness," which is a tribute to a friend who lost his sight. This poem is often overlooked, but it deserves attention for its powerful message, stylistic elements, and historical context.
Historical Context
Before delving into the poem, it is important to understand the historical context in which it was written. John Milton wrote this poem in 1655, during the English Civil War, which was a period of political and religious turmoil. As a Puritan, Milton sided with the Parliamentarians against the Royalists, who were loyal to King Charles I. During the war, Milton served as a propagandist, publishing pamphlets that supported the Parliamentarians and attacked the Royalists. In 1651, he published "The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates," which argued that people had the right to overthrow a king if he violated their rights. This was a radical statement at the time, as it challenged the divine right of kings, which was a widely accepted belief in Europe.
In 1652, Milton began to lose his sight, and by 1654, he was completely blind. This was a devastating blow to him, as he had always been a voracious reader and writer. However, Milton did not let his blindness defeat him. He continued to write, dictating his works to his daughters or assistants. He even wrote his masterpiece, "Paradise Lost," after he had become blind.
Analysis of the Poem
Now, let us turn to "To Mr. Cyriack Skinner Upon His Blindness." The poem is addressed to Cyriack Skinner, who was a friend of Milton's and had also lost his sight. The poem begins with a declaration of sympathy and empathy for Skinner's condition, and then moves on to praise him for his moral character and intellectual achievements. The poem ends with a reminder that God's justice will prevail in the end, and that those who have suffered in this life will be rewarded in the afterlife.
Sympathy and Empathy
The poem begins with the lines:
Cyriack, this three years' day these eyes, though clear,
To outward view, of blemish or of spot,
Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot;
Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear
Of sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year,
Or man or woman. Yet I argue not
Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot
Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer
Right onward.
These lines express Milton's sympathy and empathy for Skinner's condition. Milton acknowledges that Skinner's eyes are "bereft of light" and that he cannot see anything in the world. However, Milton does not blame God for Skinner's blindness. He accepts it as the will of God and encourages Skinner to "still bear up and steer / Right onward." In other words, Milton is telling Skinner to be strong and persevere through his blindness.
Praise for Skinner
After expressing his sympathy and empathy, Milton shifts to praise Skinner:
What supports me, dost thou ask?
The conscience, Friend, to have lost them overply'd
In Liberty's defence, my noble task,
Of which all Europe rings from side to side.
This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask
Content though blind, had I no better guide.
Here, Milton praises Skinner for his commitment to "Liberty's defence," which was a cause that Milton supported as a Parliamentarian. Milton sees Skinner as a noble and virtuous person who has accomplished great things in his life. Milton's praise for Skinner is significant, as it reflects Milton's belief that blindness does not diminish a person's worth or abilities. Milton himself continued to write and publish after he became blind, and he saw blindness as a challenge that could be overcome rather than a defeat.
God's Justice
The poem ends with a reminder of God's justice:
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,
Lodg'd 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."
These lines are among the most famous in English literature. They express Milton's frustration at his blindness and his fear that he has failed to use his talents to serve God. However, Milton's frustration is tempered by the reminder that God's justice is perfect, and that those who serve God faithfully will be rewarded in the afterlife. Milton's reference to the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) emphasizes the importance of using one's talents to serve God, even if they are limited or compromised in some way.
Stylistic Elements
Apart from its content, "To Mr. Cyriack Skinner Upon His Blindness" is also notable for its stylistic elements. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a meter that consists of five iambs per line. An iamb is a metrical foot that consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. For example, the first line of the poem is:
Cyriack, this three years' day these eyes, though clear,
This line contains ten syllables and five iambs. The iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality, which is typical of Milton's poetry. Milton was a master of blank verse, which is a form of poetry that does not rhyme but uses meter to create a musical effect.
The poem also contains several allusions to Biblical and classical literature. For example, the phrase "And that one talent which is death to hide" refers to the parable of the talents in the New Testament. The phrase "His state / Is kingly" echoes the opening lines of John's Gospel, which describe the divinity of Christ. Milton's use of allusions adds depth and complexity to the poem, and also shows his erudition and knowledge of literature.
Conclusion
"To Mr. Cyriack Skinner Upon His Blindness" is a powerful and moving poem that deserves more attention than it usually receives. The poem expresses Milton's sympathy and empathy for his blind friend, while also praising his moral character and intellectual achievements. The poem ends with a reminder that God's justice will prevail in the end, and that those who have suffered in this life will be rewarded in the afterlife. The poem's stylistic elements, such as its iambic pentameter and allusions to Biblical and classical literature, add to its depth and complexity. Overall, "To Mr. Cyriack Skinner Upon His Blindness" is a masterpiece of English literature, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To Mr. Cyriack Skinner Upon His Blindness: A Masterpiece of Empathy and Resilience
John Milton, the celebrated poet of the 17th century, is known for his profound works that explore the human condition and the complexities of life. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry To Mr. Cyriack Skinner Upon His Blindness," is a masterpiece that showcases his empathy and resilience. In this article, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand its significance and impact.
The poem was written in 1655, when Milton was himself blind and had lost his sight due to glaucoma. It was addressed to his friend, Cyriack Skinner, who had also lost his sight. The poem is a reflection on the challenges of blindness and the power of poetry to transcend physical limitations and connect people on a deeper level.
The poem is structured in a traditional sonnet form, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCD EE. The first eight lines, or the octave, set up the problem or the situation, while the last six lines, or the sestet, provide a resolution or a conclusion. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern that consists of ten syllables per line, with the stress falling on every other syllable.
The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging Skinner's blindness and expressing his sympathy for his friend's loss. The first two lines set the tone for the rest of the poem:
"Cyriack, whose Grandsire on the Royal Bench Of British Themis, with no mean applause"
The speaker refers to Skinner's grandfather, who was a judge in the British court system and was respected for his work. This reference highlights Skinner's family background and his own accomplishments, which are now overshadowed by his blindness. The speaker then goes on to describe how Skinner's blindness has affected him:
"Did sit, the whiles beneath him far and nigh Lawyers and clerks twixt tombstones did abound"
The image of lawyers and clerks sitting beneath Skinner's grandfather while he presided over court cases is juxtaposed with the image of tombstones, suggesting that Skinner's blindness has turned his world into a graveyard. The speaker then offers a solution to Skinner's predicament:
"Weak though I am of sight, in that regard So much the more I feel for those who sight have lost"
The speaker acknowledges his own weakness of sight, but also emphasizes that his empathy for Skinner is heightened because of his own blindness. This statement sets up the central theme of the poem, which is the power of empathy to connect people and transcend physical limitations.
The second quatrain of the poem continues to explore the theme of empathy and its ability to create a bond between people. The speaker uses the metaphor of a "soul's dark cottage" to describe the human body, which is a temporary dwelling for the soul. The image of a cottage suggests a small, humble dwelling, while the darkness represents the limitations of the physical body. The speaker then goes on to say:
"Whose keyes are kept by sly forgetfulness That to her tyrant doth whole captives bring"
The metaphor of forgetfulness as a tyrant suggests that the human mind is held captive by its own limitations and forgetfulness. The speaker then offers a solution to this captivity:
"Doth as a moth, ere she impaiered be, Wasting herself in her own mistresse sight"
The image of a moth wasting itself in its own mistress's sight suggests that the soul can transcend its physical limitations by focusing on something greater than itself. In this case, the focus is on poetry, which can provide a way out of the darkness and limitations of the physical body.
The third quatrain of the poem continues to explore the theme of poetry as a way to transcend physical limitations. The speaker uses the metaphor of a "heavenly touch" to describe the power of poetry to connect people on a deeper level. The image of a touch suggests a physical connection, while the word "heavenly" suggests a spiritual or divine connection. The speaker then goes on to say:
"Yet be not this thy vow, but forbeare To haunt the cruel shades of that same thought"
The speaker warns Skinner not to dwell on the negative aspects of his blindness, but to focus on the positive aspects of poetry. The final couplet of the poem provides a resolution to the problem:
"Which, howsoever thou maist think it best Cannot be long, cannot be long, 'tis true"
The repetition of the phrase "cannot be long" emphasizes the temporary nature of physical limitations and suggests that poetry can provide a way out of the darkness and limitations of the physical body.
In conclusion, "Poetry To Mr. Cyriack Skinner Upon His Blindness" is a masterpiece of empathy and resilience. The poem explores the challenges of blindness and the power of poetry to transcend physical limitations and connect people on a deeper level. The poem's structure, language, and themes all work together to create a powerful message of hope and resilience. Milton's own experience of blindness adds a personal touch to the poem and makes it all the more poignant. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and uplift, even in the darkest of times.
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