Author Question: Is talent a pun referring to Miltons talent for writing poetry? Whatother meanings of the word seem ... (Read 194 times)

misspop

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 540
Is talent a pun referring to Miltons talent for writing poetry? Whatother meanings of the word seem appropriate in this poem?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

If the poem is not about blindness, what might it be about?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



chevyboi1976

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 344
Answer to Question 1


  • In the New Testament parable (Matthew 25:1430), the hidden talent is money that should have been earning interest. That Milton is thinking primarily of work and business can be plausibly argued; other words in the poem convey such connotationsspent, true account, day-labor, and perhaps useless, which suggests the Medieval Latin word for interest, usura.



The theme of frustration in life (and reconciliation to ones lot) is dealt with differently in Shakespeares When, in disgrace with Fortune and mens eyes. Also refer students to Borgess homage On his blindness.

Answer to Question 2


  • Possible suggestions: Miltons declining powers of poetry; Miltons fame as a Puritan apologist.




Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

In 1886, William Bates reported on the discovery of a substance produced by the adrenal gland that turned out to be epinephrine (adrenaline). In 1904, this drug was first artificially synthesized by Friedrich Stolz.

Did you know?

Urine turns bright yellow if larger than normal amounts of certain substances are consumed; one of these substances is asparagus.

Did you know?

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, more than 50 million Americans have some kind of food allergy. Food allergies affect between 4 and 6% of children, and 4% of adults, according to the CDC. The most common food allergies include shellfish, peanuts, walnuts, fish, eggs, milk, and soy.

Did you know?

Nearly all drugs pass into human breast milk. How often a drug is taken influences the amount of drug that will pass into the milk. Medications taken 30 to 60 minutes before breastfeeding are likely to be at peak blood levels when the baby is nursing.

Did you know?

More than 150,000 Americans killed by cardiovascular disease are younger than the age of 65 years.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library