Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"New Heaven, New War" is a poem written by Robert Southwell, an English Jesuit priest and poet who lived from 1561 to 1595. Southwell was a Catholic in Protestant England and was arrested and executed for his religious beliefs. He is best known for his religious poems and prose works.

Context:

"New Heaven, New War" was written during the Elizabethan era, a time of religious and political conflict in England. Southwell wrote the poem while imprisoned in the Tower of London, where he was awaiting trial and execution for his Catholic faith. The poem reflects Southwell's deep religious devotion and his acceptance of his fate.

Content:

"New Heaven, New War" is a poem that explores the idea of spiritual warfare and the struggle between good and evil. The poem describes a battle between Satan and his demons and the angels of God, with the speaker calling on God to help him in the fight. The poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of faith and the importance of spiritual warfare.

Form:

"New Heaven, New War" is written in a series of ten stanzas, each with six lines. The poem follows an ABABCC rhyme scheme and is written in iambic pentameter. The regular structure of the poem creates a sense of order and balance, reflecting the speaker's desire for spiritual harmony.

Poetic Elements:

Southwell uses a range of poetic techniques and devices in "New Heaven, New War," including metaphor, repetition, and alliteration. For example, he uses metaphor to describe the battle between good and evil: "Heaven is a field, a war, a game, / Where God and men do fight for fame." He also uses repetition to emphasize the importance of faith in the struggle against evil: "In this new combat, faith is all, / Who bids us win, when Satan shall."

Summary:

"New Heaven, New War" is a powerful and dramatic poem that explores the idea of spiritual warfare and the struggle between good and evil. The poem's use of metaphor and repetition creates a vivid and evocative image of the battle between Satan and his demons and the angels of God. Overall, "New Heaven, New War" is a testament to Southwell's skill as a poet and his deep faith in God, and a powerful reflection on the nature of faith and the importance of spiritual warfare.

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