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Difficulty: MediumPoetic Diction and Syntax

Read the following poem, "On His Blindness" by John Milton (written c. 1655), carefully before choosing your answer:

1 When I consider how my light is spent,
2 Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
3 And that one talent which is death to hide
4 Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
5 To serve therewith my Maker, and present
6 My true account, lest He returning chide;
7 "Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?"
8 I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
9 That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need
10 Either man's work or his own gifts. Who best
11 Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
12 Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed,
13 And post o'er land and ocean without rest;
14 They also serve who only stand and wait."

In lines 1–8 ("When I consider... I fondly ask"), the delayed introduction of the main clause ("I fondly ask") after a series of subordinate clauses primarily serves to do which of the following?

  1. A
    mimic the chronological timeline of the poet's own progressive vision loss during his writing career
  2. B
    suggest that the speaker's thoughts are entirely fragmented and lack any coherent grammatical resolution
  3. mirror the speaker's complex, winding rationalization leading up to his direct questioning of divine justiceAnswer
  4. D
    establish a classical periodic structure to showcase the speaker's mastery of rhetorical devices
  5. E
    maintain a uniform tone of humble resignation that remains unchanged throughout the poem

Answer

The option describing how the syntax mirrors the speaker's complex, winding rationalization
The correct answer is correct because the use of a periodic sentence structure in lines 1–8 delays the independent clause ('I fondly ask') until the octet's end. This syntactic delay stylistically mimics the speaker's internal hesitation, elaborate rationale, and mounting anxiety before he voices his potentially transgressive question.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical structure of lines 1–8.
Lines 1–7 consist entirely of introductory, dependent clauses ('When I consider...', 'Ere half...', 'though my soul...', 'lest He...'). The independent main clause, 'I fondly ask,' is withheld until line 8.
Identifying the periodic structure is necessary to understand the delay of the main thought.
2
Relate the syntax to the speaker's psychological state.
The long, winding sentences delay the central question ('Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?'), simulating the speaker's hesitation, grief, and intellectual struggle to process his loss before directly questioning God's expectations.
Understanding the function of syntax helps connect structural form to meaning.

Key Concept

Periodic syntax and delayed main clauses
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Poetic Diction and Syntax

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