'Love' by George Herbert

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Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lacked anything."A guest," I answered "worthy to be here";
Love said "You shall be he."
"I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on Thee."
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply
"Who made the eyes but I?""Truth, Lord; but I have marred them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve."
"And know you not," says Love "who bore the blame?"
"My dear, then I will serve."
"You must sit down," says Love "and taste my meat."
So I did sit and eat.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Love: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

George Herbert's Poetry, Love is a beautiful piece of literature that delves into the themes of love, faith, and spirituality. The poem is an excellent example of the metaphysical poets' style, which uses complex imagery, extended metaphors, and paradoxes to convey abstract ideas. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's themes, language, and form to understand the message that Herbert is trying to convey.

Themes

The central theme of Poetry, Love is the relationship between love, God, and the soul. Herbert uses the metaphor of a lover's quest to describe the soul's journey towards God. He writes, "Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back / Guilty of dust and sin." The soul is hesitant to approach God, but love invites it in. The poem explores the idea that love is the catalyst that brings us closer to God.

The poem also touches on the themes of confession, forgiveness, and redemption. The speaker confesses his sins and weaknesses to the host, who is a symbol of God's forgiveness and acceptance. The host acts as a confessor, absolving the speaker of his sins and offering him a new life. The poem suggests that confession and forgiveness are essential aspects of the Christian faith and that they provide a path towards redemption.

Language

Herbert's use of language is one of the hallmarks of his style. He employs complex imagery and metaphors to convey abstract ideas. For example, he describes God's love as a feast, which is a metaphor that runs throughout the poem. He writes, "Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back, / Guilty of dust and sin. But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack / From my first entrance in, / Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning / If I lacked anything."

The language is rich and evocative, creating a vivid picture of the scene. The use of paradoxes, such as "I, who at length didst heal / my broken heart with balm," adds depth and complexity to the poem. Herbert's language is also heavily influenced by the Bible and Christian theology, which is evident in his use of biblical allusions, such as the reference to the "sacred wine."

Form

The form of Poetry, Love is a dialogue between the speaker and the host. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with each line containing ten syllables. The use of rhyme and repetition creates a musical quality to the poem, which enhances its emotional impact. The form of the poem is structured, with the speaker's confession followed by the host's response.

Herbert uses a variety of literary devices to create a sense of rhythm and flow in the poem. For example, he employs alliteration in the phrase "sweetly questioning," which creates a sense of harmony and balance. The use of enjambment, where lines run into each other without punctuation, also adds to the poem's fluidity.

Interpretation

Poetry, Love is a powerful poem that explores the themes of love, faith, and spirituality. The poem suggests that love is the catalyst that brings us closer to God and that confession and forgiveness are essential aspects of the Christian faith. Herbert's use of rich and evocative language creates a vivid picture of the scene and adds depth and complexity to the poem.

The poem's form, a dialogue between the speaker and the host, adds to its emotional impact. The poem's musical quality, created through the use of rhyme, repetition, alliteration, and enjambment, enhances the poem's rhythm and flow.

Overall, Poetry, Love is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of the relationship between love, God, and the soul. Herbert's use of complex imagery, extended metaphors, and paradoxes makes the poem a profound and thought-provoking work. The poem's themes and language have resonated with readers for centuries and continue to inspire us today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Love: A Masterpiece of George Herbert

George Herbert, a renowned poet of the 17th century, is known for his religious poetry that reflects his deep faith and devotion to God. Among his many works, "Love (III)" or "Poetry Love" is considered a masterpiece that captures the essence of divine love and its transformative power. In this 14-line poem, Herbert uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his message of love and its impact on the human soul.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing Love as a personified entity, "Love bade me welcome." The use of personification is significant as it gives Love a human-like quality, making it more relatable and tangible. The speaker then describes how Love welcomed him, "yet my soul drew back." This line suggests that the speaker is hesitant or reluctant to accept Love's invitation, perhaps due to fear or doubt. However, Love persists, "guilty of dust and sin," and invites the speaker to come closer.

The second stanza of the poem is where the imagery and metaphors come into play. The speaker describes Love's table, which is set with "roses and lilies." These flowers are symbolic of love, purity, and beauty, and their presence indicates that Love is a divine force that brings joy and happiness. The speaker then describes Love's food, which is "sweet and strange." This line suggests that Love's nourishment is not of this world, but rather something spiritual and otherworldly. The use of the word "strange" also implies that Love's ways are not always easy to understand or comprehend.

The third stanza is where the transformative power of Love is revealed. The speaker describes how Love "bade me welcome" and "drew nearer to me." This line suggests that Love is not passive but rather active and seeks to draw the speaker closer. The speaker then describes how Love "sucked" his breath and "quenched" his eyes. These lines are metaphorical and suggest that Love has the power to take away one's breath and blind them to the world's distractions. The use of the word "quenched" also implies that Love can satisfy one's thirst for meaning and purpose.

The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker's transformation is complete. The speaker describes how Love "broke the bread" and "blessed" it, which is a reference to the Last Supper and the Eucharist. This line suggests that Love is not only a force of nature but also a religious symbol that represents God's love for humanity. The speaker then describes how Love "dazzled" his sight and "raised" his soul. These lines suggest that Love has the power to enlighten and elevate one's soul to a higher level of consciousness.

In conclusion, "Love (III)" or "Poetry Love" is a masterpiece of George Herbert that captures the essence of divine love and its transformative power. Through vivid imagery and metaphors, Herbert conveys his message of love and its impact on the human soul. The poem's use of personification, symbolism, and religious references makes it a timeless piece of literature that continues to inspire and move readers to this day.

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