Discussion Topic

The meaning and reference of "mild yoke" in Milton's "On His Blindness."

Summary:

In Milton's "On His Blindness," the phrase "mild yoke" refers to the light burden of serving God despite personal hardships. It signifies that God's expectations are gentle and manageable, even for those who face difficulties like blindness, suggesting that patience and faith are sufficient to fulfill one’s duty to God.

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What does "mild yoke" refer to in Milton's "On His Blindness"?

In "On His Blindness," Milton wants to emphasize the fact that those who serve God best are the ones who allow their fates to be yoked to his. In metaphorical terms, it is as if we were all part of a team of oxen controlled by a gigantic divine harness. In the Bible, that is exactly what a yoke was—a harness used for driving oxen.

However, Milton, in the guise of personified Patience, realizes that this may sound as if God is some kind of slave driver, exercising brutal, dictatorial control over us. So he's at pains to point out that the burden imposed upon us by the Almighty is a "mild yoke"—that is to say, not a very heavy burden to bear.

Milton fervently believes that if we can see our relationship to God in this way, we'll be much better able to deal with life's many trials and tribulations. So long as we realize that God is always in control, that we are always under his "mild yoke," as it were, we will be more likely to accept whatever misfortunes may befall us, such as the speaker's blindness, which in those days was an even greater misfortune than it is today.

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www.poetryfoundation.org

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What does "mild yoke" mean in the poem "On His Blindness"?

Milton's speaker, a version of Milton himself, begins "On His Blindness" by lamenting his blindness, which impedes his ability to read and write. Since writing is his primary talent, this seems to him a very heavy burden to bear. As he prays to God, however, he hears a voice telling him that

God doth not need

Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best

Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best.

These lines mean that God does not necessarily need his adherents to perform the greatest accomplishments. Instead, those who are most faithful to him ("serve him best") are those who bear the yoke of accepting his will.

"Mild yoke" seems to be an allusion to the following biblical verses in Matthew 11: 29–30:

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

In this passage, Jesus is calling the weary and burdened to come and follow him, stating that tired people will find rest in him. Jesus alludes to the yoke that was commonly placed over the neck and shoulders of a beast of burden, such as an ox or a horse, to pull a plow. The yoke would have been a common image in Milton's England. Plows were heavy and hard for the animals to pull in those days, so the yoke felt harsh. In contrast, Jesus says his yoke—that is, what he asks of people—is gentle.

By using the term "mild yoke," Milton is remembering this Bible verse and applying its wisdom to his situation. God's will can be a "mild yoke," meaning that Milton can continue to serve God even if his talents are more difficult to express.

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