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Insights into George Herbert's Religion and Poetry

Explore George Herbert's Bemerton Church and its significance in his poetry, where metaphor and conceit reflect the Christian faith. Herbert's reflections on the Church floor symbolize virtues like patience, humility, and love.

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Insights into George Herbert's Religion and Poetry

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  1. George Herbert (1593-1633) Pastoral Poet Cynthia Gaw English 331/ Marx

  2. Bemerton Church • This tiny church was built by George Herbert at his own expense about 1629. It was while he was a priest here that he wrote all the poetry in The Temple.

  3. Metaphor or simile- The poet draws on natural or automatic associations from the reader. • Conceit- The poet must create or prove associations for the reader.

  4. The Windows • This window was built in Bemerton Church long after the death of Herbert. • Question: How is a preacher like a window?

  5. The Windows by George Herbert Lord, how can man preach thy eternall word? He is a brittle crazie glasse: Yet in thy temple thou dost him afford This glorious and transcendent place, To be a window, through thy grace. But when thou dost anneal in glasse thy storie, Making thy life to shine within The holy Preachers ; then the light and glorie More rev'rend grows, & more doth win: Which else shows watrish, bleak, & thin. Doctrine and life, colours and light, in one When they combine and mingle, bring A strong regard and aw : but speech alone Doth vanish like a flaring thing, And in the eare, not conscience ring.

  6. The Church-floore • This is the Bemerton Church floor under and behind the altar. George Herbert is buried in the raised part of the floor under the altar. • Question: How is the floor of the church like the Christian life.

  7. The Church-floore MARK you the floore? that square & speckled stone, Which looks so firm and strong, Is Patience: And th' other black and grave, wherewith each one Is checker'd all along, Humilitie: The gentle rising, which on either hand Leads to the Quire above, Is Confidence: But the sweet cement, which in one sure band Ties the whole frame, is Love And Charitie. Hither sometimes Sinne steals, and stains The marbles neat and curious veins: But all is cleansed when the marble weeps. Sometimes Death, puffing at the doore, Blows all the dust about the floore: But while he thinks to spoil the room, he sweeps. Blest be the Architect, whose art Could build so strong in a weak heart.

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