Certain features can be noted in Herbert’s poetry which distinguishes his poetry from the other poets of his time. His poems are simple and lucid which suggests of an excellent technical skill. Herbert was able to manipulate his verses in order to reflect thematic patterns, a skill which can also be seen in Milton. His choice of words which appears to be simple, expand outwards in accordance with the given context of the poem. For example, let us consider his poem The Pulley. This poem talks about God bestowing all the gifts to man except one. And that would be peace so that it acts like a pulley to draw man back to the divine grace.
One thing which is worth noticing about Herbert’s poem is his language. His language is courtly and urbane. His verse show much influence of Ben Jonson than Donne, as he uses varied and musical verse form which has a neatness and poise about it. Though Herbert is a devotional poet but he is not usual. His voice may be gentle but his craftsmanship is brilliant.
Herbert’s view of man is as the secretary of God’s praise. And just like God’s secretary he always in control and exact, methodical, honest and modest. We can also find the theme of man’s rebellion of god but in such poems there is always reconciliation at the end of the poem.
The Christian Inspiration
One thing that we should remember about Herbert’s poem is that his poem are of very private nature and were written for only his friend and also were published by his friends after his death with the motive of helping those who face the same sort of spiritual conflicts. Herbert was devoted to Christian ideology. Another important point about him is that he is a predominantly Christian poet and the rituals of Christianity bear great significance for him. In his poem The Collar, we can see how the ritual of Eucharist works as a visible symbol of the invisible grace for him. Herbert is not an orator or the preacher, but is more of a dramatist. In most of his poem, reader can identify him/ herself in the center of the poem.
Rapport With The Religious Poet
It is not that a reader needs to be Christian in order to understand and appreciate Herbert’s poetry. His poems contain the theme of personal god and poet’s personal relationship with him. These concepts are not specific to any one religion or literary traditions. Though there is any doubt that poet was deeply moved by the Christian doctrines and ideology, but still it can be understood and appreciated in light of any religious background. All is required is an eye for imagining the kind of faith that exist in poet’s heart for his god. Herbert in his collection of poems named as The Temple, tells us about the journey of the soul from the first spiritual awakening to the find the acceptance and hope of peaceful union with god, and in order to do so how it has go through various conflicts and struggle.
Poetic Self – Divine And Human Love
Unlike the 17th century love poetry, Herbert focuses on the love of God. Here lies a difference between the Donne and Herbert. Donne in his poetry presents the dialogues between the God and his own self which depict the conflicts of his self in a logical manner, but in Herbert’s poetry we don’t find any sort of argument or hortatory discourse. Herbert is more concerned about the implication of traditional Christian beliefs. His firm belief in church makes him believe on the Christian rituals. The source of inspiration for Herbert is his feeling for love and charity. He seems to be more concerned about how God’s grace operates on earth. His is more earthly and concerned about how man’s life can be transformed by God’s grace.
Herbert’s Distinguishing Traits
Certain features can be noted in Herbert’s poetry which distinguishes his poetry from the other poets of his time. His poems are simple and lucid which suggests of an excellent technical skill. Herbert was able to manipulate his verses in order to reflect thematic patterns, a skill which can also be seen in Milton. His choice of words which appears to be simple, expand outwards in accordance with the given context of the poem. For example, let us consider his poem The Pulley. This poem talks about God bestowing all the gifts to man except one. And that would be peace so that it acts like a pulley to draw man back to the divine grace.
One thing which is worth noticing about Herbert’s poem is his language. His language is courtly and urbane. His verse show much influence of Ben Jonson than Donne, as he uses varied and musical verse form which has a neatness and poise about it. Though Herbert is a devotional poet but he is not usual. His voice may be gentle but his craftsmanship is brilliant.
Herbert’s view of man is as the secretary of God’s praise. And just like God’s secretary he always in control and exact, methodical, honest and modest. We can also find the theme of man’s rebellion of god but in such poems there is always reconciliation at the end of the poem.
The Christian Inspiration
One thing that we should remember about Herbert’s poem is that his poem are of very private nature and were written for only his friend and also were published by his friends after his death with the motive of helping those who face the same sort of spiritual conflicts. Herbert was devoted to Christian ideology. Another important point about him is that he is a predominantly Christian poet and the rituals of Christianity bear great significance for him. In his poem The Collar, we can see how the ritual of Eucharist works as a visible symbol of the invisible grace for him. Herbert is not an orator or the preacher, but is more of a dramatist. In most of his poem, reader can identify him/ herself in the center of the poem.
Rapport With The Religious Poet
It is not that a reader needs to be Christian in order to understand and appreciate Herbert’s poetry. His poems contain the theme of personal god and poet’s personal relationship with him. These concepts are not specific to any one religion or literary traditions. Though there is any doubt that poet was deeply moved by the Christian doctrines and ideology, but still it can be understood and appreciated in light of any religious background. All is required is an eye for imagining the kind of faith that exist in poet’s heart for his god. Herbert in his collection of poems named as The Temple, tells us about the journey of the soul from the first spiritual awakening to the find the acceptance and hope of peaceful union with god, and in order to do so how it has go through various conflicts and struggle.
Poetic Self – Divine And Human Love
Unlike the 17th century love poetry, Herbert focuses on the love of God. Here lies a difference between the Donne and Herbert. Donne in his poetry presents the dialogues between the God and his own self which depict the conflicts of his self in a logical manner, but in Herbert’s poetry we don’t find any sort of argument or hortatory discourse. Herbert is more concerned about the implication of traditional Christian beliefs. His firm belief in church makes him believe on the Christian rituals. The source of inspiration for Herbert is his feeling for love and charity. He seems to be more concerned about how God’s grace operates on earth. His is more earthly and concerned about how man’s life can be transformed by God’s grace.