Death by George Herbert

George Herbert (1593-1633) was one of the more renowned poets during the Metaphysical 

period of poetry. I chose to analyze his poem "Death" because of our recent study of

Hamlet and also because it seems like a great crossroads between the past Dark Ages and

the period of Spiritual Awakening that would follow. Here's the poem.

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/181062Death

By George Herbert

Death, thou wast once an uncouth hideous thing,

                           Nothing but bones,

      The sad effect of sadder groans:

Thy mouth was open, but thou couldst not sing.

For we considered thee as at some six

                           Or ten years hence,

      After the loss of life and sense,

Flesh being turned to dust, and bones to sticks.

We looked on this side of thee, shooting short;

                         Where we did find

      The shells of fledge souls left behind,

Dry dust, which sheds no tears, but may extort.

But since our Savior’s death did put some blood

                           Into thy face,

      Thou art grown fair and full of grace,

Much in request, much sought for as a good.

For we do now behold thee gay and glad,

                           As at Doomsday;

      When souls shall wear their new array,

And all thy bones with beauty shall be clad.

Therefore we can go die as sleep, and trust

                           Half that we have

      Unto an honest faithful grave;

Making our pillows either down, or dust.

The biggest thing I want to point out before moving onto the theme and "big picture" stuff is that there is a MAJOR shift right in the middle of this poem in between the third and fourth quatrains. The first three quatrain discuss the gruesome side of death that often resides within the forefront of both our mind and soul. This is very reflective of the Dark Ages and their impact on peoples' outlook of the world, with phrases such as "Flesh being turned to dust" (Line 8) or "The sad effect of sadder groans" (Line 3) gives this depressing feeling about life that was very characteristic of the centuries before and even during Herbert's life. However, that shift mid-way through gives way to a whole new outlook at the end of life. The fourth quatrain talks about how because of "our Savior's death" (Line 12), "Thou art grown fair and full of grace" (Line 15). This realization by Herbert is largely the same belief held by many Christians today, including myself. We believe that "at Doomsday" (Line 17), which in biblical terms would be the Day of Judgment when Christ descend to lead his kingdom to heaven, "souls shall wear their new array" (Line 18), which as a Christ follower, I believe to be the promise of eternal life in God's Kingdom. This leads me into the theme which I link to the rebirth of Christianity after the Dark Ages. Death isn't the ultimate ending of our existence, but rather a transition in our souls as we the Church join our creator in Heaven. 

Lastly, we can clearly see how this poem connects to the traits of Metaphysical poetry as it addresses the broad topics of Death and God in quite a united style as Herbert marks death as the stepping stone in one's journey to God and Heaven. While the wit may not be there essentially, I think it's absence creates a very uplifting message in a changing Western culture that was still trying to rewrite its identity.