John Milton, A Puritain Poet

John Milton was born on December 9, 1608 in London, England and died on November 8, 1674 in Chalfont St. Giles, England. Throughout his life, he wrote different pamphlets to promote his controversial political views, like the belief that the Church of England (Anglican Church) should be abolished and he also wrote works about criticizing the tyrannical rule of King Charles I. He is considered the most significant English author after William Shakespear and his most famous novel is Paradise Lost.

In 1625, Milton attended Christ's Church, Cambridge and was supposed to be educated for the ministry, but he was temporarily expelled due to the conflicts he had with his tutor, William Chappell. After Chappell, he was assigned Nathaniel Tovey to tutor him and he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1629 and was ranked 4th out of 24 graduates. In 1632, he received a Masters of Arts degree.

One John Milton's poem that he wrote is called On His Blindness. It is about his own experience of blindness. He asks God if he should continue working even though it was his job that caused him to lose his sight. Here is the poem:

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."

Sources: - https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Milton

- https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-his-blindness/