'Man's Medley' by George Herbert


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Hark, how the birds do sing,
And woods do ring!
All creatures have their joy, and man hath his.
Yet if we rightly measure,
Man's joy and pleasure
Rather hereafter than in present is.

To this life things of sense
Make their pretence;
In th' other angels have a right by birth.
Man ties them both alone,
And makes them one,
With th' one hand touching heaven, with th' other earth.

In soul he mounts and flies,
In flesh he dies.
He wears a stuff whose thread is coarse and round,
But trimmed with curious lace,
And should take place
After the trimming, not the stuff and ground.

Not that he may not here
Taste of the cheer;

But as birds drink and straight lift up their head,
So must he sip and think
Of better drink
He may attain to after he is dead.

But as his joys are double,
So is his trouble.
He hath two winters, other things but one:
Both frosts and thoughts do nip
And bite his lip,
And he of all things fears two deaths alone.

Yet even the greatest griefs
May be reliefs,
Could he but take them right, and in their ways.
Happy is he whose heart
Hath found the art
To turn his double pains to double praise.

Editor 1 Interpretation

George Herbert's Man's Medley: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

George Herbert's Man's Medley is a spiritual poem that explores the relationship between God and humanity. The poem is a vivid representation of the complexity of human nature and the struggles that come with trying to reconcile our humanity with our belief in God. Throughout the poem, Herbert uses a range of literary devices to create a powerful and compelling work that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human.

Background

George Herbert was an English poet and priest who lived during the early 17th century. He is regarded as one of the greatest religious poets in the English language, and his work has had a profound influence on subsequent generations of poets. Herbert's poetry is characterized by its deep spirituality, its use of biblical imagery and language, and its exploration of the relationship between God and humanity. Man's Medley is one of his most famous poems and is often cited as an example of his unique style and voice as a poet.

Analysis

Man's Medley is a poem that consists of six stanzas, each of which is written in a different meter and rhyme scheme. The poem is structured around the idea of a "medley," which is a musical term that refers to a combination of different melodies or themes. In this context, the "man's medley" refers to the different aspects of human nature that are explored in the poem.

The poem begins with a description of humanity as a "bundle of life," which is both "lord and thrall" to itself. This image suggests that human beings are both the masters and the slaves of their own lives, with the potential to exert great power over themselves but also the vulnerability to be controlled by their own desires and passions. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the theme of human struggle against the forces of sin and temptation.

The second stanza introduces the idea of salvation, with the speaker asking God to "take my heart, and make it clean." This plea for spiritual cleansing is a common theme in Christian literature, and Herbert uses it to convey the idea that only God can save humanity from its own shortcomings. The third stanza continues this theme, with the speaker asking God to "break, blow, burn, and make me new" in order to purify his soul. The image of fire is particularly powerful here, suggesting that the process of spiritual cleansing is painful and transformative.

The fourth stanza shifts the focus to the relationship between God and humanity, with the speaker asking God to "breathe, shine, and seek to mend" the broken relationship between them. This stanza is perhaps the most optimistic in the poem, suggesting that redemption and reconciliation are possible even in the face of human sin and weakness.

The fifth stanza returns to the theme of human struggle, with the speaker acknowledging that he is "entangled in my sins' black strings." The image of being caught in a web of sin is a common one in Christian literature, and Herbert uses it to convey the idea that humans are helpless to escape their own sinful nature without the help of God.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a plea for God to "unclasp, and set me free." This image of release and liberation is a powerful one, suggesting that spiritual freedom is possible even in the face of human weakness and sin.

Interpretation

Man's Medley is a deeply spiritual poem that explores the complexities of human nature and the struggle to reconcile our humanity with our belief in God. The poem is structured around the idea of a "medley," which suggests that human nature is a complex and multifaceted thing that cannot be easily defined or understood.

At its core, the poem is an exploration of the relationship between God and humanity. Herbert uses a range of biblical imagery and language to convey the idea that only God can save humanity from its own shortcomings. The image of fire is particularly powerful in this context, suggesting that the process of spiritual cleansing is painful and transformative.

The poem also explores the theme of human struggle against sin and temptation. The image of being caught in a web of sin is a powerful one, and Herbert uses it to convey the idea that humans are helpless to escape their own sinful nature without the help of God.

Overall, Man's Medley is a powerful and compelling work that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human. Herbert's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem remains a classic example of Christian literature to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Man's Medley: A Masterpiece of Spiritual Poetry

George Herbert's Man's Medley is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Written in the 17th century, this poem is a masterpiece of spiritual poetry that explores the complexities of human nature and the relationship between man and God. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem, analyzing its themes, structure, and language to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.

Themes

Man's Medley is a poem that explores the spiritual journey of man. It is a journey that is filled with both joy and sorrow, hope and despair, faith and doubt. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of this journey.

The first part of the poem is titled "Man's Heart." In this section, Herbert explores the nature of man's heart and its relationship to God. He describes the heart as a "ragged, rugged, knotty thing" that is full of sin and imperfection. However, he also acknowledges that the heart is capable of great love and devotion to God. He writes, "My heart is like a singing bird / Whose nest is in a watered shoot." This image of the heart as a singing bird is a powerful one, suggesting that even in the midst of sin and imperfection, the heart can still find joy and beauty in its relationship with God.

The second part of the poem is titled "Man's Sin." In this section, Herbert explores the nature of sin and its effects on man's relationship with God. He describes sin as a "black, ugly, and deformed thing" that separates man from God. He writes, "My sinne is great, but yet thy grace / Shall make my dust participate." This image of man's sin as dust is a powerful one, suggesting that even in the midst of sin and imperfection, man can still be redeemed through God's grace.

The third and final part of the poem is titled "Man's Redemption." In this section, Herbert explores the nature of redemption and its effects on man's relationship with God. He writes, "My God, my God, thou art my all; / Early and late, I hear thy call." This image of God as man's all is a powerful one, suggesting that through redemption, man can find true joy and fulfillment in his relationship with God.

Structure

Man's Medley is a poem that is structured in a unique and complex way. It is divided into three parts, each of which is further divided into six stanzas. Each stanza is composed of four lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. This structure gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance, reflecting the spiritual journey of man that it explores.

Language

The language of Man's Medley is rich and complex, filled with powerful imagery and metaphors. Herbert uses a variety of poetic devices, including alliteration, repetition, and personification, to create a vivid and evocative picture of man's spiritual journey.

One of the most powerful images in the poem is that of the heart as a singing bird. This image is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and unity. Another powerful image is that of man's sin as dust. This image is used to suggest that even in the midst of sin and imperfection, man can still be redeemed through God's grace.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Man's Medley is a masterpiece of spiritual poetry that explores the complexities of human nature and the relationship between man and God. Through its themes, structure, and language, the poem offers a powerful and evocative picture of man's spiritual journey. It is a poem that has stood the test of time, and continues to inspire and move readers today.

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