George Herbert and Edward Taylor: A Comparison

Paper Summary:

This paper studies the styles, techniques and works of these two very famous historical poets. It compares Herbert who is classified as a metaphysical poet and Taylor who is classified as a Puritan era poet. It studies Puritan life as Edward Taylor's direct writing influence. It studies the classification issue of these poets and concludes that Taylor should be classified as a metaphysical poet as well because of the properties of his poems. It analyzes several poems by these poets and details their style, meaning and the techniques used. It also examines their great belief and faith in God and how this affected their poetry.

Table of Contents:
I. Introduction
II. Metaphysical Properties of Works
III. Motivations for Writing
IV. Criticisms of Works
V. Writing Styles
VI. Methodology
VII. Biblical References and Themes
VIII. Metrical Forms
IX. Man's Unworthiness
X. Summary

From the Paper:

"The works of Edward Taylor not only provide us with a glimpse into Puritan life of the 1600's, they also give us a direct insight into the very heart and soul of the man who penned them. His works relate the Puritan emphasis on one's own spiritual examination of the soul, and well as the high moral standards the Puritans lived by. Although his style varies somewhat in his major works, his unbending love of God remains constant. His imagery not only allows the reader to view his words through a Puritan's eyes, but to also get a feel for what it meant to devote one's self totally to God. Taylor's reasons for writing were grounded in his own personal desire to communicate with God, to express his heartfelt love of God, and to prepare himself for sharing the Lord's Supper with his congregation. Like Herbert, Taylor's poetry expressed deep piety and love for Christ. Likewise, both authors express the view of Salvation as being completely reliant on God's grace rather than human merit (Rowe). (175)"

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