Paraphrase: John Milton is reflecting on the first half of his life before he became blind and wonders if he must continue his work as a writer to serve God. He concludes that by faith alone, and using all the graces Godhas given him, he is serving God.Observe: - “patience to prevent”- alliteration- “ world and wide,” – alliteration- “patience to prevent That murmur” -personification- “Talent” – capitalized Biblical allusion to parables - “ light” -repetition of light and the contrast to darkness Contextualize:- Was educated though Christian schools and classical educationAnalyze: - John Milton was education was rooted in Christian schooling and therefore plays a major role in his beliefs and writings. He uses God and faith as a reference throughout his work.- John Milton uses the repetition to “light” to emphasizes not only his physical blindness but spiritual blindness and confusions. - John Milton uses the personification of patience to show that patience has revealed to him the many ways he can serve God even in his blindness.Argue:In John Milton’s sonnet, On His Blindness (1655), he uses “light” to convey his physical dilemma and spiritual dilemma. In the beginning on the sonnet he explains how his “light is spent” at this point in his life because he has becoming physically blind. As a writer and Christian, he internally struggles with not being able to use his talents and gift to serve God. He feels defeated by his condition in this “dark world” because he can no longer write to glorify God. However, his spiritual light is also burning low. As in the Christian faith “light” is symbolic to represent Jesus and faith. The authors defeat in blindness has causedhis faith in God to also struggle. He questions God toward the middle of the poem, “Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”. He feels that if God has denied him the gift of light, then does he continue to write? The author restores his faith ad understanding in God by the end of the sonnet realizing that he does not need his physical sight to serve God. God does not need a “man’s work or his own gifts” but only his obedience. by following the “light of the world” or Jesus alone that man will serve God