The Collar | George Herbert | Study Guide

Author: George Herbert

 

Year: 1633

 

Type: Poem

 

Genre: Religious poetry

About Title:

George Herbert's "The Collar" is a deeply introspective and emotive poem that explores themes of spiritual doubt, frustration, and eventual reconciliation. Written in the form of a dramatic monologue, the poem's speaker grapples with conflicting emotions as he contemplates his vocation and relationship with God.

 

Characters:

The speaker: Herbert himself, who embodies the voice of a disillusioned clergyman wrestling with doubts and frustrations about his calling.

 

Summary:

"The Collar" opens with the speaker's outburst of frustration and rebellion against the constraints of his religious vocation, symbolized by the metaphorical "collar" that binds him to his duties. The speaker laments the sacrifices he has made in the name of piety, expressing a longing for freedom and self-indulgence. His anguished cries reflect a profound sense of disillusionment and resentment, as he questions the value of his faith and the purpose of his ordained life.

 

However, as the poem progresses, the speaker undergoes a transformation, as his anger gives way to introspection and spiritual awakening. He begins to recognize the futility of his earthly desires and the emptiness of worldly pleasures, realizing that true fulfillment can only be found in surrendering to God's will. In a moment of epiphany, the speaker's rebellious spirit is replaced by a sense of humility and submission, as he embraces his divine calling with renewed fervor and devotion.

 

Symbols:

The collar: Symbolizes the burdens and responsibilities of the speaker's religious vocation, as well as the constraints that bind him to his duties.

The feast: Represents the worldly temptations and distractions that lead the speaker astray from his spiritual path.

The yoke: Symbolizes the speaker's acceptance of God's will and his willingness to submit to divine authority.

 

Themes:

Spiritual crisis and redemption: "The Collar" explores the speaker's journey from disillusionment and rebellion to spiritual awakening and acceptance, highlighting the transformative power of faith and divine grace.

Human frailty and divine mercy: The poem reflects on the speaker's struggles with doubt and temptation, as well as God's boundless compassion and forgiveness.

The paradox of surrender: Herbert's poem examines the tension between human desires and divine will, emphasizing the paradoxical nature of surrender and submission.

 

In conclusion, "The Collar" is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of faith and doubt, as well as the transformative power of divine grace. Through its vivid imagery and emotional depth, the poem continues to resonate with readers, inviting them to contemplate the mysteries of the human soul and its longing for spiritual fulfillment.