Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Henry Vaughan was a Welsh metaphysical poet who lived in the 17th century. "Peace" is a poem that was published in 1655.

Context:

The 17th century was a time of great social and political change in England, with the English Civil War and the Restoration of the monarchy. The literary scene was dominated by the metaphysical poets and the Cavalier poets. Vaughan was a Welsh poet and physician who was influenced by the religious and philosophical currents of his time. The poem reflects the influence of the Christian faith on Vaughan's poetry.

Content:

The poem is a meditation on the theme of inner peace and its relationship to faith in God. The speaker reflects on the transience and turmoil of worldly life, and contrasts it with the eternal peace that comes from faith in God. He celebrates the spiritual rebirth that comes from faith and the way it can transform the soul. The poem ends with a call to embrace the peace that comes from God and to live a life of Christian virtue.

Form:

The poem consists of 20 lines of irregular meter and rhyme. It is written in a formal, elevated style, with a focus on the theme of inner peace. The poem's structure is carefully crafted to build to a climax, with the final lines expressing the speaker's call to embrace the peace that comes from God.

Poetic Elements:

The poem makes use of metaphor and symbolism to convey the theme of peace, including the image of the "calm within" and the idea of faith as a "heavenly balm." Vaughan also uses allusion to biblical literature, including references to the Psalms and the Gospel of John. The poem also features a number of poetic devices, including imagery, figurative language, and rhetorical questions.

Summary:

The poem is a meditation on the theme of inner peace and its relationship to faith in God. It is notable for its use of metaphor and symbolism, as well as its focus on the themes of spiritual rebirth and Christian virtue. The poem is a reflection of the influence of the Christian faith on Vaughan's poetry and his interest in the spiritual and philosophical questions of his time. Overall, the poem is a well-crafted meditation that encourages the reader to embrace the peace that comes from God and to live a life of Christian virtue.

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