Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lacked anything.
"A guest," I answered "worthy to be here";
Love said "You shall be he."
"I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on Thee."
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply
"Who made the eyes but I?"
Go where it doth deserve."
"And know you not," says Love "who bore the blame?"
"My dear, then I will serve."
"You must sit down," says Love "and taste my meat."
So I did sit and eat.
. Love is referred to God in the poem. In this poem the character is trying to understand the relationship with “Love” which is actually God. He is afraid that God what will accept him for who he is or has become during his life. Love replies with telling him that he really cares about him and would come with open hands. God also says not to fear God because he can forgive. In the end of the poem God/Love offers his meat which means everything around him is what he is and if you’re eating a part of meat means that your are eating a piece of himself.
ReplyDeleteThe author uses assonance in every stanza. For example:
ReplyDelete"Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew [back],
Guilty of dust and (sin).
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow [slack]
From my first entrance (in),".
The author George Herbert uses this throughout the whole poem.
This poem is confusing because when the author mentions "love" he is referring to God and he/she is having a conversation with God. It seems as if he/she is trying to connect with this God and trying to get closer to Him. You can connect "Love" to God when the author says
"Guilty of dust and sin" in the first stanza of the poem and also when the author mentions "Lord".
"Love" by George Herbert is an allegory in which the metaphorical meaning of the poem reflects back to humanity and God. The poem is also enriched by images created by the use of diction, which reveal the kindness God has for letting some back to his presence despite all our sins. George Herbert was a priest, thus his poem “Love” is religious affiliated and aspires to bring a message to the reader. I believe George as a priest wants us all to question ourselves for the acts we commit, even before we get to the presence of the Lord in order to deeply understand the lord’s kindness and “love” for us. According to the bible, God is all as “love” and forgiving. That is why the speaker is able to stand in front of him and talk to “love” because he has already forgiving him and loves him no matter what.
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of “Love” is to inform the reader that although we are sinful beings, we can find redemption in God. The poem teaches us that even though it may be difficult for us to comprehend; we can be loved eternally because of the faith and the cross. The poet uses symbolic images using “Dust” referring to human or flesh. This meaning comes from the bible. “Dust thou art and dust thou shall return” referring to human beings will find a way back. Line nine and ten “I, the unkind, and ungrateful? Ah, my dear, I cannot look on Thee.” Then we see Love’s response in line 15, “And know you not, says Love, Who bore the blame?” He believes that he doesn’t belong Love forgive because every person are sinful beings.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Herbert uses a “ababcc” rhyme scheme in each stanza, not assonance. Like Yessenia mentioned, George Herbert was a priest, so it makes sense that someone would label this a “religious poem.” But the idea of acceptance does not have to limited to the connection between a person and God. This idea of acceptance can also be applied to children and their parents and many other scenarios.
ReplyDeletePeople feel guilt and unworthy when in the presence of someone they consider their “superior.” They just want to be accepted. They just want to be loved.