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'The Collar' by George Herbert Line by Line Explanation

 Introduction

The Collar is a metaphysical poem written by George Herbert, a 17th-century English poet and clergyman. The poem explores themes of inner conflict, doubt, and spiritual crisis. It is a dramatic monologue, wherein the speaker, who represents the poet himself, expresses his frustration and rebellion against his religious calling.


Text:

I struck the board, and cried, "No more;

                         I will abroad!

What? shall I ever sigh and pine?

My lines and life are free, free as the road,

Loose as the wind, as large as store.

          Shall I be still in suit?

Have I no harvest but a thorn

To let me blood, and not restore

What I have lost with cordial fruit?


          Sure there was wine

Before my sighs did dry it; there was corn

    Before my tears did drown it.

      Is the year only lost to me?

          Have I no bays to crown it,

No flowers, no garlands gay? All blasted?

                  All wasted?

Not so, my heart; but there is fruit,

            And thou hast hands.

Recover all thy sigh-blown age

On double pleasures: leave thy cold dispute

Of what is fit and not. Forsake thy cage,

             Thy rope of sands,

Which petty thoughts have made, and made to thee

Good cable, to enforce and draw,

          And be thy law,

While thou didst wink and wouldst not see.


          Away! take heed;

          I will abroad.

Call in thy death's-head there; tie up thy fears;

          He that forbears

         To suit and serve his need

          Deserves his load."

But as I raved and grew more fierce and wild

          At every word,

Methought I heard one calling, Child!

          And I replied My Lord.




Summary

Let's summarize the lines of the poem.

The poem begins with the speaker lamenting the restrictions and responsibilities of his religious life, symbolized by the metaphorical "collar" he wears as a clergyman. He feels confined and oppressed by his duties, and questions the worth of his sacrifices and devotion to God. The speaker is experiencing a moment of rebellion and frustration. He strikes the board, symbolizing a moment of defiance against the restrictions and responsibilities of his religious calling, represented by the metaphorical "collar" he wears as a clergyman. He desires to break free from the confines of his religious life and yearns for a life of freedom and pleasure, feeling that his lines (poetic verses) and life should be as free as the road and as loose as the wind.

He questions the worth of his sacrifices and devotion to God, wondering if all he has gained is pain and suffering, symbolized by the harvest of thorns that let him blood but don't restore what he has lost. The speaker reflects on the time when there was wine and corn before his sighs and tears dried them and drowned them, symbolizing a time when life seemed more joyous and bountiful.

However, the poem takes a turn towards the end when the speaker realises the folly of his rebellious thoughts. He has an epiphany and recognizes the significance of his spiritual calling and the guidance he receives from God. He acknowledges that his longing for freedom is misguided, and he should embrace his divine purpose and submit to God's will willingly. He encourages himself to embrace the present and find joy in life's pleasures rather than getting caught up in futile debates about what is right or proper.

In the final lines, the poem ends on a note of acceptance and surrender to God's plan. The speaker comes to terms with his calling, acknowledging that serving God is ultimately fulfilling and rewarding, despite the occasional doubts and struggles he may encounter. The turning point comes when the speaker hears a call, possibly a divine intervention, represented by the voice calling him "Child" and identifying as "My Lord." This moment softens his fierce rebellion, and he responds in submission and humility, indicating a willingness to accept his spiritual duty and serve his higher purpose.

In summary, The Collar is a deeply introspective poem that delves into the speaker's internal conflict between his desire for freedom and his sense of duty as a religious figure. The poem explores the tension between worldly desires and spiritual calling, ultimately leading to a moment of surrender and acceptance of divine guidance.


Analysis

Let's look a bit deeper into the lines by analysing each of the three stanzas.

Stanza 1

In the first stanza, the speaker expresses his frustration and rebellion. He starts by striking the board, symbolizing his declaration of "No more" to his current state, possibly the constraints of his religious calling. He declares his desire to go abroad, seeking freedom and liberation from his present situation. The rhetorical question, "What? shall I ever sigh and pine?" conveys his reluctance to continue in a state of sorrow and yearning. The speaker emphasizes his desire for a life free from restrictions, comparing it to the freedom of the road and the vastness of the wind. He questions the worth of his sacrifices, using the metaphor of a harvest yielding only a thorn that drains his vitality without offering rejuvenation.


Stanza 2

In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the past when life seemed more abundant and fulfilling. He mentions wine and corn, metaphorically representing joy and sustenance, which were present before his sighs and tears seemingly caused them to vanish. The rhetorical questions emphasize his disappointment at feeling that the year has been lost and that he has no accomplishments to celebrate. He wonders if all the potential for success and happiness has been destroyed. However, he counters this despair by reassuring his heart that there is still hope for fulfillment. He urges himself to seize the present opportunities and pleasures rather than getting caught up in indecision and doubt. He advises himself to break free from the cage of his own limited thoughts and embrace the possibilities of life, symbolized by the "rope of sands" that he can abandon for a more substantial "good cable" of purpose and direction.


Stanza 3

In the final stanza, the speaker reinforces his decision to break away and go abroad to seek freedom and fulfillment. He addresses himself, urging to "take heed" and act upon his desires. He tells himself to confront his fears ("death's-head") and not hold back from fulfilling his needs and aspirations. He believes that anyone who refrains from serving their genuine needs will be burdened with regrets and unfulfilled desires.

In a moment of increasing fervor and wild emotion, the speaker hears a call, possibly from a higher power, addressing him as "Child." This divine intervention softens his rebellious spirit, and he humbly responds with "My Lord," indicating a realization of his spiritual calling and submission to a higher purpose.

Overall, The Collar is a poem that explores the inner conflict between worldly desires and spiritual obligations. The speaker goes through a journey of rebellion, reflection, and eventual acceptance, culminating in a moment of divine guidance and surrender. The poem delves into themes of self-discovery, acceptance of divine will, and finding purpose amidst inner turmoil.


Literary Devices

In the poem The Collar, George Herbert employs several literary devices to convey the themes and emotions of the lines. Few of the devices seen in the lines are as follows:

1. Repetition: The repetition of the phrase "I will abroad" emphasizes the speaker's determination to break free from his current state and seek a life of freedom and pleasure.


2. Metaphor: The "board" that the speaker strikes symbolizes his declaration of rebellion, while the "collar" represents his religious calling and responsibilities.


3. Simile: The speaker describes his "lines and life" as "free as the road, loose as the wind," using similes to emphasize the unrestricted and uninhibited nature he desires.


4. Alliteration: The repetition of the "s" sound in "shall I ever sigh and pine," "sighs did dry it," and "sigh-blown age" creates a smooth and flowing sound that enhances the poem's musicality.


5. Personification: The poem personifies the heart, addressing it directly as "Not so, my heart," attributing emotions and thoughts to it.


6. Imagery: The poem utilizes vivid imagery, such as "harvest," "wine," and "corn," to evoke a sense of abundance and loss, contrasting the past joys with the present struggles.


7. Enjambment: The lines flow into one another without punctuation, creating a continuous and uninterrupted flow of thought, which adds to the poem's emotional intensity.


8. Apostrophe: The speaker addresses his heart, referring to it as "Not so, my heart," as if it were a separate entity with its own desires and thoughts.


9. Allusion: The reference to "bays to crown it" and "flowers, no garlands gay" alludes to traditional symbols of victory and celebration, suggesting that the speaker's desires for joy and fulfillment have not been fulfilled.


10. Rhyme: The poem follows a loose rhyme scheme, with some lines ending in rhyming words, enhancing the musicality and rhythm of the verses.


11. Contrast: The poem juxtaposes the speaker's desire for freedom and pleasure with his sense of duty and spiritual calling, creating a powerful contrast that highlights his inner conflict.

Overall, these literary devices contribute to the emotional depth and introspective nature of the poem, allowing the reader to connect with the speaker's inner turmoil and eventual realization.


Conclusion

The Collar by George Herbert is a profound work of metaphysical poetry, delving into the internal turmoil faced by the speaker as he confronts the clash between his worldly desires and spiritual devotion. Through intricate metaphors and a unique structure, Herbert skillfully guides readers on a transformative journey towards self-discovery and spiritual acceptance.

The poem's enduring relevance lies in its portrayal of the universal struggle to find peace and purpose, a struggle that transcends time and speaks to the essence of the human experience. The Collar remains an artistic testament to the enduring quest for spiritual fulfillment and a reminder that, in embracing our true calling, we find the liberty and contentment we so desperately seek.

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