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English Literature – Before 1670

George Herbert, a key figure in 17th-century English literature, blended intellectual depth with profound faith in his poetry. His works reflect the spiritual conflicts of his time, bridging medieval religious traditions and modern poetic innovations.

Herbert's unique style revolutionized religious verse, using metaphysical conceits and visual poetry to express spiritual truths. His major works, including "The Temple" and "The Country Parson," explore themes of divine love, faith struggles, and nature's spirituality, influencing generations of writers.

Life and background

  • George Herbert's life and works exemplify the religious poetry of 17th century England, reflecting the spiritual conflicts and devotion of his time
  • His background deeply influenced his writing, combining intellectual rigor with profound faith
  • Herbert's experiences shaped his unique voice in Literature in English: Through Milton, bridging medieval religious traditions and modern poetic innovations

Early life and education

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  • Born in 1593 into a wealthy and influential Welsh family
  • Educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge
  • Excelled in classical languages and rhetoric, laying foundation for his poetic craft
  • Appointed as University Orator at Cambridge in 1620
    • Position involved composing and delivering speeches in Latin
    • Honed his skills in persuasive and elegant language

Religious conversion

  • Experienced spiritual awakening during his time at Cambridge
  • Abandoned ambitions for a secular career in favor of religious vocation
  • Struggled with the decision to enter the priesthood for several years
  • Eventual commitment to Anglican ministry marked a turning point in his life and work
    • Influenced the themes and tone of his poetry
    • Led to a more introspective and devotional writing style

Career as country parson

  • Ordained as a deacon in the Church of England in 1624
  • Appointed as rector of Bemerton, Wiltshire in 1630
  • Dedicated himself to pastoral duties and care of his parishioners
  • Wrote "The Country Parson" as a guide for rural clergy
    • Emphasized practical piety and humble service
    • Reflected Herbert's own ideals and experiences as a priest

Poetic style and techniques

  • Herbert's poetic style revolutionized religious verse in English literature
  • His techniques blended intellectual complexity with emotional depth
  • Herbert's innovations influenced the course of metaphysical poetry and beyond in Literature in English: Through Milton

Metaphysical conceits

  • Used elaborate, often paradoxical comparisons to express spiritual truths
  • Employed unexpected analogies between the divine and the mundane
  • Created complex intellectual puzzles that engage the reader's mind and emotions
  • Examples include comparing prayer to a reversed thunder (The Prayer I) and love to a tinker (Love III)
    • These conceits challenge readers to contemplate spiritual concepts in new ways
    • Often draw connections between everyday objects and profound theological ideas

Visual poetry

  • Experimented with the physical arrangement of words on the page
  • Created poems shaped like objects related to their themes (Easter Wings, The Altar)
  • Used typography and layout to enhance the meaning and impact of his verses
  • Incorporated visual elements to engage multiple senses in the reading experience
    • Pattern poems like "Easter Wings" take the shape of angel wings
    • "The Altar" is formatted to resemble the structure of an altar

Simplicity vs complexity

  • Balanced intricate metaphysical arguments with clear, accessible language
  • Employed both elaborate conceits and straightforward expressions of faith
  • Varied his style to suit the subject matter and emotional tone of each poem
  • Demonstrated versatility in poetic form, from sonnets to pattern poems
    • Simple lyrics like "The Flower" contrast with complex works like "The Collar"
    • Used plain diction alongside sophisticated wordplay and puns

Major works

  • Herbert's major works form a cornerstone of 17th century English literature
  • His poetry and prose continue to be studied and admired for their spiritual depth and artistic merit
  • These works significantly contribute to the canon of Literature in English: Through Milton

The Temple

  • Herbert's primary collection of poems, published posthumously in 1633
  • Structured to mirror the layout of a church, with sections like "The Church Porch" and "The Church"
  • Contains 164 poems exploring various aspects of Christian faith and experience
  • Includes some of Herbert's most famous works (The Collar, Easter Wings, Love III)
    • Poems range from deeply personal reflections to universal spiritual themes
    • Demonstrates Herbert's mastery of various poetic forms and techniques

The Country Parson

  • Prose work subtitled "His Character and Rule of Holy Life"
  • Written as a practical guide for rural clergy in the Church of England
  • Describes the ideal conduct and duties of a parish priest
  • Reflects Herbert's own experiences and aspirations as a country parson
    • Emphasizes the importance of humility, diligence, and pastoral care
    • Provides insights into 17th century rural religious life and practices

Outlandish Proverbs

  • Collection of foreign proverbs translated into English
  • Published posthumously in 1640
  • Demonstrates Herbert's interest in folk wisdom and diverse cultures
  • Reflects his skill in concise, memorable phrasing
    • Includes over 1000 proverbs from various languages and traditions
    • Many proverbs deal with practical life advice and moral teachings

Themes in Herbert's poetry

  • Herbert's poetry explores profound spiritual and existential themes
  • His works reflect the religious and philosophical concerns of 17th century England
  • These themes resonate throughout the course on Literature in English: Through Milton

Divine love and human devotion

  • Central focus on the relationship between God and the individual soul
  • Explores the nature of divine love as both comforting and challenging
  • Depicts human devotion as a complex mixture of joy, struggle, and surrender
  • Uses intimate, often domestic imagery to convey spiritual experiences
    • Poem "Love III" personifies God's love as a gracious host
    • "The Collar" dramatizes the internal conflict between rebellion and submission to divine will

Struggle with faith

  • Portrays the challenges and doubts inherent in religious belief
  • Addresses themes of spiritual dryness, temptation, and despair
  • Presents faith as a dynamic, sometimes difficult journey rather than a static state
  • Reflects Herbert's own spiritual struggles and eventual commitment to his vocation
    • "The Collar" vividly depicts a moment of rebellion against religious constraints
    • "Affliction" series explores the pain and confusion that can accompany faith

Nature and spirituality

  • Uses natural imagery to convey spiritual truths and experiences
  • Finds divine presence and meaning in the created world
  • Explores the relationship between the physical and spiritual realms
  • Employs metaphors from nature to illustrate abstract theological concepts
    • "The Flower" compares spiritual growth to the life cycle of a plant
    • "Prayer I" likens various aspects of prayer to natural phenomena (reversed thunder, Christ-side-piercing spear)

Influence on literature

  • Herbert's work has had a lasting impact on English literature and religious poetry
  • His innovations in form and content continue to influence writers and scholars
  • Herbert's place in the canon of Literature in English: Through Milton is secure and significant

Impact on metaphysical poetry

  • Helped establish the metaphysical school of poetry alongside John Donne
  • Influenced later metaphysical poets like Henry Vaughan and Thomas Traherne
  • Developed the use of conceits and complex analogies in religious verse
  • Demonstrated how intellectual rigor could be combined with emotional depth
    • His technique of using everyday objects to explore spiritual concepts became a hallmark of metaphysical poetry
    • Herbert's balance of wit and devotion inspired generations of poets

Legacy in religious verse

  • Set a new standard for English devotional poetry
  • Influenced later religious poets like Gerard Manley Hopkins and T.S. Eliot
  • Demonstrated how personal faith could be expressed in innovative poetic forms
  • Continued to be read and admired by both religious and secular readers
    • His poems are still used in Anglican worship and personal devotion
    • Herbert's work bridged the gap between medieval religious poetry and modern spiritual verse

Modern critical reception

  • Experienced a revival of interest in the 20th century
  • Praised by critics for his technical skill and psychological insight
  • Studied for his contributions to the development of English poetry
  • Appreciated for his ability to make religious experience accessible and relevant
    • T.S. Eliot's essays helped renew interest in Herbert's work
    • Contemporary scholars continue to explore the complexity and depth of Herbert's poetry

Herbert's place in 17th century

  • Herbert occupies a unique position in 17th century English literature
  • His work bridges medieval religious traditions and modern poetic innovations
  • Understanding Herbert's role is crucial for comprehending the literary landscape of Literature in English: Through Milton

Relationship to other metaphysicals

  • Shared with John Donne an interest in complex conceits and intellectual argumentation
  • Differed from Donne in his focus on personal devotion rather than secular love
  • Influenced younger metaphysical poets like Henry Vaughan and Thomas Traherne
  • Developed a more intimate and conversational tone compared to some contemporaries
    • Herbert's poems often take the form of dialogues with God
    • His use of simple language to express complex ideas contrasts with the more ornate style of some metaphysicals

Role in Anglican tradition

  • Exemplified the via media (middle way) of Anglicanism between Catholicism and Puritanism
  • Wrote poetry that reflected Anglican theology and liturgical practices
  • Served as a model for later Anglican clergy-poets
  • Contributed to the development of a distinctly English religious poetic tradition
    • His poems often allude to the Book of Common Prayer
    • "The British Church" defends the Anglican position between Catholic and Protestant extremes

Comparison with contemporary poets

  • Less overtly political than poets like John Milton
  • More focused on personal devotion than public affairs compared to Ben Jonson
  • Shared with Robert Herrick an interest in the pastoral, but with a more spiritual focus
  • Developed a unique voice that combined intellectual rigor with emotional sincerity
    • Herbert's poems are generally shorter and more concentrated than Milton's epics
    • His use of plain language contrasts with the more ornate style of some Caroline poets

Analysis of key poems

  • Close examination of Herbert's most famous works reveals his poetic genius
  • These poems exemplify the themes and techniques central to Herbert's oeuvre
  • Understanding these key works is essential for grasping Herbert's contribution to Literature in English: Through Milton

The Collar

  • Dramatic monologue depicting a moment of spiritual crisis and rebellion
  • Uses extended metaphor of a collar to represent religious constraints
  • Employs irregular rhyme and meter to convey emotional turmoil
  • Concludes with a sudden shift to calm acceptance of God's call
    • Opening line "I struck the board, and cried, 'No more'" sets a tone of defiance
    • Repetition of "no more" emphasizes the speaker's frustration
    • Final lines reveal the speaker's ultimate submission to divine love

Easter Wings

  • Pattern poem shaped like a pair of wings
  • Explores themes of human fall and redemption through Christ
  • Uses decreasing and increasing line lengths to mirror spiritual decline and growth
  • Demonstrates Herbert's skill in combining visual and verbal elements
    • Each stanza begins with long lines that gradually shorten, then lengthen again
    • Parallel structure between the two stanzas reinforces the poem's symmetry
    • Concludes with the idea of rising with Christ, reflected in the wing-like shape

The Altar

  • Another pattern poem, shaped like an altar
  • Reflects on the nature of sacrifice and worship
  • Uses architectural imagery to describe the human heart as God's altar
  • Demonstrates Herbert's ability to blend form and content seamlessly
    • Short lines form the altar's structure, with longer lines as base and top
    • Plays on multiple meanings of "broken" (physically broken stone, spiritually broken heart)
    • Concludes with the idea of the poem itself as an offering to God

Herbert's prose works

  • Herbert's prose complements his poetry, offering insights into his religious and literary thought
  • These works contribute to the broader understanding of 17th century English literature and culture
  • Studying Herbert's prose enhances appreciation of his poetic works in Literature in English: Through Milton

A Priest to the Temple

  • Also known as "The Country Parson"
  • Practical guide for rural clergy in the Church of England
  • Describes the ideal conduct, duties, and spiritual life of a parish priest
  • Reflects Herbert's own experiences and aspirations as a country parson
    • Emphasizes the importance of leading by example in all aspects of life
    • Provides detailed advice on preaching, pastoral care, and personal devotion
    • Offers insights into 17th century rural religious and social practices

Outlandish Proverbs

  • Collection of over 1000 foreign proverbs translated into English
  • Demonstrates Herbert's interest in folk wisdom and diverse cultures
  • Reflects his skill in concise, memorable phrasing
  • Covers a wide range of topics from practical advice to moral teachings
    • Many proverbs deal with themes also found in Herbert's poetry (love, faith, humility)
    • Some proverbs have entered common English usage (Love and a cough cannot be hid)
    • Reveals Herbert's broad knowledge and appreciation of international literature

Language and imagery

  • Herbert's use of language and imagery is central to his poetic achievement
  • His innovative techniques influenced the development of English poetry
  • Understanding Herbert's linguistic and imagistic choices is crucial for appreciating his work in Literature in English: Through Milton

Biblical allusions

  • Frequently incorporates references to scripture throughout his poetry
  • Uses biblical narratives and imagery to explore personal spiritual experiences
  • Demonstrates deep knowledge of both Old and New Testaments
  • Often reinterprets biblical themes in novel, sometimes surprising ways
    • "The Sacrifice" retells Christ's passion from Jesus' perspective
    • "The Pulley" reimagines the creation story to explain human restlessness
    • Many poems allude to the Psalms, reflecting Herbert's love of sacred music

Domestic metaphors

  • Employs everyday objects and experiences as metaphors for spiritual truths
  • Uses household items and daily activities to make abstract concepts tangible
  • Reflects Herbert's belief in the sanctity of ordinary life
  • Creates an intimate, accessible tone in his religious poetry
    • "The Windows" compares a priest to a stained glass window
    • "The Collar" uses dining table imagery to explore spiritual rebellion
    • "Love III" depicts God as a gracious host welcoming a reluctant guest

Architectural symbolism

  • Frequently uses architectural imagery to explore spiritual themes
  • Structures some poems to resemble physical objects (The Altar, Easter Wings)
  • Employs church architecture as a metaphor for the Christian life and faith
  • Reflects the importance of sacred spaces in Anglican worship
    • "The Church-floor" uses different types of stone to represent Christian virtues
    • "The Church Monuments" meditates on mortality through tomb imagery
    • The overall structure of "The Temple" mirrors the layout of a church building

Herbert's spiritual journey

  • Herbert's personal spiritual development is central to understanding his poetry
  • His journey from academic to priest deeply influenced his literary output
  • Tracing Herbert's spiritual path provides context for his works in Literature in English: Through Milton

Anglican priesthood

  • Ordained as a deacon in the Church of England in 1624
  • Appointed as rector of Bemerton, Wiltshire in 1630
  • Embraced the via media (middle way) of Anglicanism between Catholicism and Puritanism
  • Viewed priesthood as both a privilege and a profound responsibility
    • "The Priesthood" explores the awe and humility of clerical vocation
    • "The Windows" reflects on the priest's role as a channel of divine light
    • His pastoral work deeply informed poems like "The Collar" and "Affliction"

Personal struggles with vocation

  • Initially pursued a secular career at court before committing to religious life
  • Experienced periods of doubt and spiritual dryness
  • Wrestled with the demands of his calling and his own human weaknesses
  • Used poetry as a means of working through spiritual challenges
    • "The Collar" dramatically portrays a moment of rebellion against his vocation
    • The "Affliction" poems chronicle various stages of spiritual struggle
    • "The Pulley" explores the divine purpose behind human restlessness and dissatisfaction

Poetic expression of faith

  • Developed a unique voice that combined intellectual rigor with emotional sincerity
  • Used poetry as a form of prayer and meditation
  • Explored various aspects of Christian experience through diverse poetic forms
  • Sought to make complex theological concepts accessible through concrete imagery
    • "Prayer I" offers multiple metaphors for prayer, from "reversed thunder" to "the soul in paraphrase"
    • "The Flower" uses the cycle of plant growth to describe spiritual renewal
    • "Love III" dramatizes the soul's encounter with divine grace as a dialogue
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© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
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