8.2 George Herbert and the Tradition of Devotional Verse

George Herbert's poetry explores the soul's relationship with God, blending spiritual struggles with divine grace. His work stands out for its simplicity and accessibility, using everyday objects and experiences to convey profound religious themes.

Herbert's influence on devotional verse is significant. He popularized the genre, making it more relatable to a wider audience. His focus on personal spiritual journeys and innovative poetic forms inspired generations of poets and shaped English devotional literature.

Key Themes in Herbert's Poetry

The Soul's Relationship with God

Top images from around the web for The Soul's Relationship with God

• 

  Lesson 14: Form in Poetry | Introduction to Creative Writing View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Role of Humanity as Spiritual Beings In George Herbert The Temple | IJELS-Book View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Divine Themes in George Herbert Temple | IJELS-Book View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Lesson 14: Form in Poetry | Introduction to Creative Writing View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Role of Humanity as Spiritual Beings In George Herbert The Temple | IJELS-Book View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for The Soul's Relationship with God

• 

  Lesson 14: Form in Poetry | Introduction to Creative Writing View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Role of Humanity as Spiritual Beings In George Herbert The Temple | IJELS-Book View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Divine Themes in George Herbert Temple | IJELS-Book View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Lesson 14: Form in Poetry | Introduction to Creative Writing View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Role of Humanity as Spiritual Beings In George Herbert The Temple | IJELS-Book View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Explores the theme of the soul's relationship with God, depicting spiritual struggles, doubts, and the desire for divine grace and love
• Employs the motif of the heart as a symbol of the individual's inner spiritual life and the site of the soul's encounter with God (The Temple, The Altar)
• Reflects the idea of giving oneself entirely to God and submitting to the divine will through the theme of sacrifice and self-surrender (The Collar, The Altar)
• Uses the motif of the journey or pilgrimage to represent the soul's spiritual progress and the challenges faced in pursuing a closer relationship with God (The Pilgrimage)

Tension Between Worldly Desires and Spiritual Devotion

• Highlights the struggle to prioritize one's faith amidst the distractions of daily life
• Contrasts the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures with the eternal rewards of spiritual devotion (The Pearl, The Quip)
• Depicts the internal conflict between the desires of the flesh and the yearnings of the spirit (The Collar, The Pulley)
• Emphasizes the need for constant vigilance and self-examination in maintaining a strong spiritual life (The Church-porch, The Sinner)

Religious Symbolism in Herbert's Work

Sacramental and Liturgical Symbols

• Employs the symbol of the altar to represent the act of worship and the offering of oneself to God, emphasizing the centrality of devotion in the Christian life (The Altar)
• Uses the symbolism of the temple to represent the human soul as a dwelling place for God, underscoring the importance of inner purity and the cultivation of a sacred space within oneself (The Temple)
• Highlights the significance of the Eucharist in Christian worship and the believer's participation in Christ's sacrifice through sacramental symbolism, such as bread and wine (The Banquet, The Holy Communion)

Christological and Divine Symbols

• Features the cross as a prominent symbol, signifying Christ's sacrifice, the believer's identification with Christ's suffering, and the transformative power of divine love (The Sacrifice, The Agony)
• Uses the symbol of the sun to depict God's illuminating presence and the soul's longing for divine light and guidance (The Dawning, The Sonne)
• Employs the image of the shepherd to represent Christ's care and protection of his flock, as well as the believer's dependence on divine guidance (The Good Shepherd, The 23rd Psalme)
• Incorporates the symbol of the king to emphasize God's sovereignty and the believer's submission to divine authority (The Scepter, The Thanksgiving)

Herbert's Style vs. His Contemporaries

Simplicity and Accessibility

• Characterized by simplicity, clarity, and directness of expression, distinguishing him from the more elaborate and ornate style of some contemporaries, such as John Donne
• Uses plain language and colloquial diction, reflecting his desire to make his poetry relatable to common readers (The Elixir, The Flower)
• Focuses on the emotional intensity and inner spiritual life of the individual, in contrast to the more intellectually complex and philosophically dense poetry of some metaphysical poets

Poetic Techniques and Innovations

• Shares the use of conceits and extended metaphors with other metaphysical poets like Donne, but his imagery tends to be more grounded in everyday objects and experiences (The Pulley, The Collar)
• Incorporates musical and metrical patterns, such as hymn-like structures and refrains, reflecting his interest in the relationship between poetry and music in religious devotion (The Church Militant, The Sacrifice)
• Experiments with visual and structural elements, such as shaped poems and pattern poems, expanding the formal possibilities of devotional verse (The Altar, Easter Wings)

Herbert's Influence on Devotional Verse

Popularization and Democratization of the Genre

• Played a significant role in popularizing the genre of devotional verse in the 17th century, providing a model for other poets who sought to express their faith through poetry
• Contributed to the democratization of devotional verse by making it more appealing and relevant to a wider range of readers through the accessibility and relatability of his poetry
• Shifted the focus of devotional poetry from doctrinal exposition to the exploration of the individual's spiritual journey by emphasizing the personal and emotional aspects of religious experience

Literary Legacy and Impact

• Inspired later poets to experiment with visual and structural elements in their work through his innovative use of poetic forms, such as the shaped poem and the pattern poem
• Attested to the significant impact on the development of English devotional verse and its place in the literary canon through the enduring popularity and influence of his poetry, as evidenced by its frequent reprinting and imitation
• Influenced the work of subsequent devotional poets, such as Henry Vaughan, Thomas Traherne, and Richard Crashaw, who built upon Herbert's themes, techniques, and spiritual insights in their own poetry