Sonnet 19

God Doesn’t Need You (Milton’s “When I Consider How My Light is Spent”)

John Milton (1608-1674) is second only to Shakespeare when it comes to poets in the English speaking world. But before he could write his greatest masterpiece, he lost his vision and fell blind, becoming completely unable to write. As a deeply religious man who loved God, Milton could not understand why God would strip him of his sight and rob him of his chance to pen Paradise Lost. After profound reflection, Milton showcases his vision of God and humility in the only way he knew how: with poetry. Then, he wrote Paradise Lost from behind the dark canvas of his eye lids.