George Herbert (1593-1633) adopted the Metaphysical style of poetry from Donne but in a simpler manner. His famous poem “Death” is an example of the poetry that uses rhetorical forms of writing like a paradox, hyperbole, and conceits. The poem constitutes two parts that have a contradicting view of death. The First part presents death as a fearsome being through the use of hideous expressions and imagery. The second part presents death as a friend and a passage to a better life. The last three stanzas give hope to Christians through the works of Jesus Christ. Through Christ’s death, death lost its power “But since our Savior’s death did put some blood into thy face” (Herbert line 13-14). The author presents death as a friend to mankind rather than an enemy. Christ’s death offers hope to believers beyond the grave and death is not an absolute end. Eternal life is promised to those who believe in Christ just as He also rose from death and conquered it. In the day of resurrection, believers shall be given a new body “When souls shall wear their new array” (Hebert line 19). In a bid to pass his message, Herbert uses simple diction, imagery, and metaphor. These elements are described as being metaphysical (Sarkar 447). He also presents his ideas in a colloquial and logical, persuasive way, drawing his metaphors from simple day to day experiences. This paper explores Herbert’s metaphysical approach in his poem “Death.”
First, Herbert employs metaphysics in the poem through imagery. He gives a visual image of death to capture the attention of his readers. The first three stanzas of the poem give death an image of a skeleton. He describes death as a “hideous thing” that is “Nothing but bones” (Herbert line 2). Skeletons become visible after death has occurred (Crossref-it.info 1). The use of the word “skeleton” evokes feelings about death. Also, the poet gives a peaceful image of how the doomsday will be “As at doomsday when souls shall wear their new aray, and all thy bones with beauty shall be clad.” (Herbert line 18-20). This glorious description of doomsday gives hope to those who die in Christ.
Secondly, the poet relies on symbols to enrich his message. He uses the word “mouth” as a symbol representing the consuming nature of death. Also, he further explains that this mouth cannot sing (Crossref-it.info 1). The word “sing” in this regard represents joy and inability to sing represents sadness. “Thy mouth was open, but thou couldst not sing. The use of these words as symbols serves to make the poet’s description of death clear.
Thirdly, Herbert uses metaphors in his poem to develop it metaphysically. In describing the cruelty of death, Herbert uses the metaphor “The shells of fledge souls left behind” he compares the body and soul to an egg-shell. When an egg hatches, the shell loses its meaning and is left behind (Herbert line 11). The body and soul relationship is the same as the relationship of an egg and shell and it poses a very important bond. Death is thus viewed as an agent separating the two in a cruel manner.
Fourthly, the structure of the poem is a paradox in itself; the poem has two parts that give two contradicting views of death. The same author who detests death at first appreciates it in the end. Also, the consolation offered by the poem regarding life after death goes beyond science. It only takes a believer to appreciate this view. The poem portrays consolation as well as pain through its contrast.
Fifthly, the poet has used personification to give death a human nature. The poet describes the positive view of death through a humanistic description “But since our Saviour’s death did put some blood, into thy face, Thou art grown fair and full of grace.” The aspect of blood symbolizes human beings lives (Herbert line 13-15). Through the death of Christ, death is viewed as a good thing as it is a channel through which believers cross to a new world that has no pain (Crossref-it.info 1). On the other hand, the poet has also described death to having a mouth that consumes and does not sing “Thy mouth was open, but thou couldst not sing” (Herbert line 4). Also, the dust has been personified to show the cruelty of death “Dry dust, which sheds no tears, but may extort.” (Herbert line 12).When one dies they are taken back to the sand that created them, by the lack of tears, the poet is portraying the heartless nature of dust which is a human trait.
In the poem, “Death,” by George Herbert he uses several metaphysical aspects to pass various messages about death. First, he uses imagery to create a visual image about death by relying on items that evoke the fear surrounding death. Secondly, he uses symbolism. Symbols involve the use of physical concepts to represent his hidden messages. Thirdly, Herbert relies on metaphors to give deep meaning to the aspect of death. Fourthly, the poet uses paradox to evoke the reader's mind to think beyond the normal ideologies. Fifthly, he personifies the main subject, death to connect his readers with the subject for a vivid understanding. Overall these examples represent the author’s use of metaphysics to bring out his message.
Works Cited
Crossref-it.info, "Imagery And Symbolism In Death » Metaphysical Poets, Selected Poems Study Guide From Crossref-It.Info." Crossref-it.info. N.p., 2016. Web. 9 May 2016.
Herbert, George. "Death." Poetryfoundation.org. N.p., 2009. Web. 9 May 2016.
Sarkar, Piu. "Metaphysical Poetry and John Donne: An Overview." International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research 2.2 (2012): 446-451. Print.
