George Herbert ppt
- 1. { Govt. BM College, Barishal Prepared by : Shayla Akter Assistant Professor (English) Class for the students of - Honours 3rd Year Topic: George Herbert (Easter Wings) Course: 16th & 17th Century Poetry
- 2. George Herbert :The Poet Life & Works: Born: 1593 , Montgomery, Wales Died: 1633, Bremerton, England Major Works: Memoriae Matris Sacrum A Priest to the Temple Rule of Holy Life The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculation Known for writing devotional verse Avoided secular love lyrics in favor of sincere holy worship The last one is a profound exploration of humanity’s relationship with God.
- 3. Life & Works: Attended the Westminister School in London Excellent in Greek and Latin Nomination to Trinity College at Cambridge University In 1610 declared to be a poet dedicated to God Letter to mother included two poems,” My God, where is that ancient heat toward thee”, “Sure, Lord, there is enough in thee to dry” In 1616, elected a fellow of trinity college • At Cambridge held position of a lecturer in rhetoric and deputy orator. * Courtier at the court of James I (1620-1625) * Member of parliament, Montgomery, Wales (1624-1625) * Canon of Lincoln cathedral in 1626 * First work published in 1627 (Latin) on mother’s death * Died of tuberculosis on March 1, 1633
- 4. Experiments with works Experiment with form and meter Variety of religious experiences through poetic forms Follower of John Donne, pioneer of metaphysical movement. Metaphors from everyday experience Two ending lines resolved the argument Less emphasis on conceits and striking imagery Herbert’s influence includes : S.T. Coleridge Ralph Waldo Emerson Emily Dickinson G. M. Hopkins T. S. Eliot W. H. Auden
- 6. Figure Poems / Shape Poems / Pattern Poem “The Alter” and “Easter Wings” Printed in a shape that reflects the subject of the poem Easter Wings was printed on two pages of a book, sideways, so that the lines suggests two birds flying upwards with wings spread out The poem tells of desire to fly with Christ The poet is the speaker and the audience is “Jesus Christ, the Christian savior” The lines large in size decay eventually Then the emotion picks up in the first stanza The second stanza completes the second wing taking a flight as larks Second stanza is full of imagery
- 7. Major conflict in “Easter Wings” Both the speaker and humanity have been punished with a fall from grace for their sin The poet seeks to redeem both himself and others by asking God’s assistance Allusions: “Easter wings” the title symbolizes spiritual development It’s an allusion to Malachi 4:2 “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall” “Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store” - this is an allusion to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden “And feel thy victorie” – Corinthians 15 also uses victorie to refer to Christ’s resurrection Angel’s wings are described at several points in the Bible Both stanzas mirror life of Christ – the Crucifixion and the Resurrection
- 8. The printed wings of this poem becomes narrow and fuller again. The stanzas narrow at the point in the center where the individual is farthest from God’s grace. In stanza 1, it occurs in the following lines: Most poore / With thee. In the second stanza it occurs in the following lines: Most thinne / With thee. In the fullest lines we humans come to God in affliction and pain. Humans brought this pain on them by sin. When the speaker is able to reconnect with God, his experience of the fall will make his eventual ascension more ecstatic.
- 9. Herbert Window Salisbury Cathedral
- 10. Thank you