A Latinist's Wreath: the Orator in "The Temple".

Abstract

This comparative study of George Herbert's Latin and English poetry seeks to review the English poetry in light of Herbert's 'other' canon; it also attempts to offer some generalizations about the differences between Herbert the vernacular and devotional lyricist and Herbert the official and didactic Latinist. Beginning with a chapter that establishes the method of the study, in which the major shared tropes and images of Herbert's Latin and English verse are examined, the study goes on to consider Herbert's relationship to his two churches-- the official English Church and the internalized church of the temple of the heart. The last three chapters form a unit, and track Herbert's developing relationship with his Savior; the first of these chapters explores Herbert's Christ as symbol, as Eucharistic Host, the second Christ as Master, the last Christ as personal Redeemer, friend, and gracious Lord. Throughout the study, discussion moves from the Latin to the English poetry and back again, as the roots of metaphors and the beginnings of ideas are found in the Latin verse and traced through their development in the English verse. Appended to this study is a new set of translations, including the Musae Responsorieae, Passio Discerpta and Lucus. It is my hope that the translations may prove useful to others wanting to work with these three collections of Herbert's Latin poems, and that this study as a whole may point to problems yet to be solved.