Easter Wings Essay -- essays research papers

The poem "Easter Wings" by George Herbert is a poem full of deep imagery not only in its words but also in the visual structure of the stanzas. In Herbert’s poem why does he use a shape poem? Because he wanted this poem to have many different levels and meanings. Herbert also used huge amounts of mental imagery so that the reader can find new truths and meanings each time he or she reads it. The poem tells of the poets desire to fly with Christ as a result of Jesus' sacrifice, death and resurrection. The argument as to the proper presentation of this poem is easily explained with the help of the poet's address to the "Lord" in the opening line of the first page in the original text. Because this poem is actually a work within a work with many hidden meanings and suggestions. To fully understand it all, one must examine the poem as a whole in greater detail. The poet is the obvious speaker in the poem due to the common use of "I" and "me" through out the poem. The audience is also revealed in the first line of the 1634 edition of the poem with the use of the word "Lord"; meaning the Christian Savior, Jesus Christ who rose from the dead. But there is question as to where the poem truly begins. This is due to the splitting of the poem onto two separate pages, and then turned ninety degrees so it must be read sideways. This is done on purpose to invoke the vision of wings on both pages. This fact must be considered when evaluating where it begins and whether it is in fact two poems instead of one larger one. "Lord, who createth man in wealth and store" is the beginning of this poem, helping to immediately establish the audience in the first word. As well, this fact help to reveal that this poem is also a prayer of Herbert’s. The appropriate layout of the poem is still the "winged" look necessary for the full impact of the imagery. It is the imagery in this poem that deserves special notice as it gives a much deeper understanding of what Herbert is saying. The first stanza shows the fall of man from the "wealth" that is in God's holiness into the "decaying" life of a sinful nature: "Lord, who createst man in wealth and store, Though foolishly he lost the same, Decaying more and more Till he became Most poor:" As the ... .... Furthermore, this physical act of turning requires a decision. Since, biblically speaking, God does not enter unless invited, our act of turning the book reflects our freedom of choice and God's response is initiated. that how man's decline because of sin was defeated by the actions of the cross. So the point of Herbert’s work "Easter Wings" May not actually be obtainable just with one reading, or for that case many readings. But Herbert did show us that using shape and imagery throughout his poem that many different meanings and points can be made within one poem. He also helped us to understand what he viewed as right and wrong, he used imagery throughout his poem to give us a sense into his life and his value system. In doing so he gave the readers of his poems a chance to find all of the truths and meanings in his poem. Lastly in Herbert’s poem he wants us to be grateful of the gift that God has given to us, by allowing his only son to die for the salvation of our sins to make us washed clean with grace, it is this action which allows all of mankind, and not just Herbert, to be grafted into Jesus' wing to "further the flight" in us all.