'Discipline' by George Herbert
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Throw away thy rod,
Throw away thy wrath:
O my God,
Take the gentle path.
For my heart's desire
Unto thine is bent:
I aspire
To a full consent.
Not a word or look
I affect to own,
But by book,
And thy book alone.
Though I fail, I weep:
Though I halt in pace,
Yet I creep
To the throne of grace.
Then let wrath remove:
Love will do the deed;
For with love
Stony hearts will bleed.
Love is swift of foot;
Love's a man of war,
And can shoot,
And can hit from far.
Who can 'scape his bow?
That which wrought on thee,
Brought thee low,
Needs must work on me.
Throw away they rod;
Though man frailties hath,
Thou art God:
Throw away thy wrath.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Discipline by George Herbert: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you familiar with the poem "Discipline" by George Herbert? If not, allow me to introduce you to this classic masterpiece of the 17th century. George Herbert was a poet and Anglican priest, born in 1593, who wrote poems that reflected his deep faith in God. His poems were often metaphysical in nature, and they explored complex themes of love, death, and spirituality. "Discipline" is one such poem that reflects Herbert's deep understanding of the Christian faith and his belief in the power of discipline.
Overview of the Poem
"Discipline" is a short poem that consists of only eight lines. However, despite its brevity, the poem is rich in meaning and symbolism. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs or metrical feet. The poem's rhyme scheme is ABABCC, which means that the first and third lines rhyme with each other, as do the second and fourth, while the final two lines form a couplet.
The poem's central theme is discipline, and the speaker urges the reader to embrace it. The poem's imagery is drawn from the Bible, with references to Christ's suffering and death on the cross. The poem suggests that discipline is necessary for spiritual growth and that it is a mark of true Christian faith.
Analysis of the Poem
Let us now delve deeper into the poem and explore its various elements and themes.
Title
The poem's title is "Discipline," which immediately suggests that the poem is about self-control, restraint, and training. The title sets the tone for the poem and prepares the reader for a message about the importance of discipline in one's life.
Form and Structure
"Discipline" is a poem that consists of eight lines, which are divided into two quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The poem's rhyme scheme is ABABCC, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance. The iambic tetrameter also contributes to the poem's musical rhythm and flow.
Theme
The poem's central theme is discipline, which is introduced in the first line of the poem: "Throw away thy rod, / Throw away thy wrath." The speaker is urging the reader to abandon their anger and aggression and embrace discipline instead. The poem suggests that discipline is necessary for spiritual growth and for overcoming one's weaknesses and flaws.
The poem's theme is grounded in the Christian faith, and the speaker uses imagery drawn from the Bible to convey its message. The poem references Christ's death on the cross, suggesting that discipline is a mark of true Christian faith. The poem also suggests that discipline is a form of self-sacrifice and that it involves a willingness to suffer for one's beliefs.
Imagery
The poem's imagery is drawn from the Bible and is used to convey the poem's message about discipline. The first two lines of the poem use the image of a rod to represent anger and aggression: "Throw away thy rod, / Throw away thy wrath." The image of the rod is a reference to Proverbs 13:24, which states: "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him." The speaker is urging the reader to abandon their anger and aggression and replace it with discipline.
The poem then shifts to an image of Christ's death on the cross: "Love mercy; love might; / But be thyself That which thou dost love." The speaker is suggesting that true Christian faith involves emulating Christ's sacrifice and suffering. The image of Christ's death on the cross is a powerful one, and it conveys the idea that discipline involves a willingness to suffer for one's beliefs.
Tone
The poem's tone is earnest and urgent. The speaker is exhorting the reader to embrace discipline and abandon their anger and aggression. The speaker's tone is also grounded in the Christian faith, and there is a sense of conviction and passion in their words.
Symbolism
The poem's use of symbolism is subtle but effective. The image of the rod is a symbol of anger and aggression, while the image of Christ's death on the cross is a symbol of sacrifice and suffering. The poem suggests that discipline involves a willingness to sacrifice and suffer for one's beliefs, and that it is a mark of true Christian faith.
Allusion
The poem makes reference to Proverbs 13:24, which states: "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him." The poem uses this biblical reference to urge the reader to abandon their anger and aggression and embrace discipline.
Metaphor
The poem uses the metaphor of the rod to represent anger and aggression, and the metaphor of Christ's death on the cross to represent sacrifice and suffering. These metaphors are powerful and effective in conveying the poem's message about the importance of discipline in one's life.
Interpretation of the Poem
"Discipline" is a poem that speaks to the importance of self-control, restraint, and training in one's life. The poem suggests that discipline is necessary for spiritual growth and that it is a mark of true Christian faith. The poem's use of biblical imagery and references to Christ's death on the cross conveys the idea that discipline involves a willingness to sacrifice and suffer for one's beliefs.
The poem's message is particularly relevant in today's world, where anger and aggression seem to be increasingly prevalent. The poem urges the reader to abandon their anger and embrace discipline instead. The poem also suggests that discipline involves a willingness to sacrifice and suffer for one's beliefs. This is a powerful message, and one that is particularly relevant in today's world, where many people seem to be more concerned with their own comfort and pleasure than with the welfare of others.
In conclusion, "Discipline" is a powerful and timeless poem that speaks to the importance of self-control, restraint, and training in one's life. The poem's use of biblical imagery and references to Christ's death on the cross convey a powerful message about the importance of discipline in one's life. The poem's message is particularly relevant in today's world, where anger and aggression seem to be increasingly prevalent. For these reasons, "Discipline" remains a classic masterpiece of the 17th century and a timeless work of art that speaks to the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Discipline: A Poem of Self-Control and Spiritual Growth
George Herbert's poem "Discipline" is a masterpiece of spiritual introspection and self-discipline. Written in the 17th century, this poem still resonates with readers today, as it speaks to the universal human struggle to control our impulses and desires, and to cultivate a deeper connection with the divine.
At its core, "Discipline" is a meditation on the virtues of self-control and the importance of spiritual discipline in our lives. The poem is structured as a series of questions and answers, as the speaker engages in a dialogue with himself about the nature of discipline and its role in his spiritual journey.
The poem begins with a question: "Throw away thy rod, / Throw away thy wrath: / O my God, / Take the gentle path." Here, the speaker is addressing God directly, asking for guidance in his quest for self-discipline. He acknowledges that he has been using harsh methods to try to control his impulses, but now he realizes that a gentler approach is needed.
The next stanza continues this theme, as the speaker reflects on the nature of discipline: "For my power is weak, / My will is frail, / My frame is sick, / My force doth fail." Here, the speaker acknowledges his own limitations and weaknesses, recognizing that he cannot rely solely on his own strength to achieve the level of self-control he desires.
In the third stanza, the speaker turns to the example of Christ as a model of discipline: "I have a sin of fear, / That when I have spun / My last thread, I shall perish on the shore; / But swear by thyself, / That at my death thy Son / Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore." Here, the speaker is expressing his fear of death and his desire for salvation, and he looks to Christ as a source of inspiration and hope.
The fourth stanza continues this theme, as the speaker reflects on the importance of spiritual discipline in achieving salvation: "Then I will punish their sin with a rod, / And their iniquity with stripes. / But my lovingkindness will not depart from him, / As I took it away from Saul, whom I put away before thee." Here, the speaker is quoting from the book of Psalms, and he is emphasizing the need for discipline in order to overcome sin and achieve spiritual growth.
The final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes together, as the speaker resolves to embrace discipline as a way of life: "So I did sit and eat." Here, the speaker is referencing the biblical story of the Last Supper, where Jesus shared a meal with his disciples before his crucifixion. By sitting and eating, the speaker is symbolically embracing the discipline of Christ, and committing himself to a life of spiritual growth and self-control.
Overall, "Discipline" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the universal human struggle to control our impulses and desires, and to cultivate a deeper connection with the divine. Through its use of biblical imagery and its emphasis on the virtues of self-discipline and spiritual growth, this poem continues to inspire readers today, and to remind us of the importance of living a life of discipline and devotion.
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