allows the sonnet to move from worry to peace Theme The Petrarchan sonnet characteristically treats its theme in two parts The first eight lines are called the octave They introduce a problem pose a question or express emotional tension The final six lines are known as the sestet These lines resolve the problem answer the question or release the tension On His Blindness covers this theme The primal theme of this poem is faith and acceptance in the face of personal limitations Milton explores his worries about being unable to serve God due to his blindness By the end he finds peace in the understanding that God values patience and faith not works It is evident in the following quotation God doth not need Either man s work or his own gifts who best Bear his mild yoke they serve him best Language and Word Choice Milton s word choices reflect his deep religious devotion and his internal struggle Words like Talent references the biblical Parable of the Talents It suggests a duty to use his gifts for God The use of patience as a personified inner voice shows Milton s shift from doubt to faith On the other hand mild yoke represents his acceptance of God s will Tone and Mood In an Italian sonnet the tone is contemplative and the mood is often reflective or bittersweet The tone of Sonnet shifts from despair to acceptance Milton s mood is troubled at first He feels inadequate because of his blindness Then his tone shifts to one of peace He realizes that patience and faith are valuable ways to serve God Central Message The central message of the poem is that true service to God doesn t always require active work Milton realizes that even in his blindness he can still serve God Faith and patience are valuable God values quiet acceptance and trust Waiting patiently without complaint is meaningful and honorable It shows deep devotion just like any action or labor Here is an excerpt to support the point 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 In termination Milton s On His Blindness is a genuine Petrarchan sonnet The poet uses the sonnet form to explore his struggles with faith and purpose By examining his limitations he understands that faithful service to God can be found in patience and trust