Critical Appreciation of George Herbert’s “The Collar”
‘The Collar’ is one of the finest
poems written by George Herbert in the history of metaphysical lyrics. It can
be said that all the leading metaphysical characteristics like dramatic
opening, argumentative approach, colloquial tone or concrete imagery -epitomize
in this single poem.
The title word of the poem
"Collar" refers to the white band worn by the clergy, and it is the
role of a priest that the poem alludes to. The word ‘collar’ in the title,
therefore, symbolizes the priest's role as servant. Ironically written, ‘The
Collar’ is, in fact, about the struggle
to maintain faith in God, although the thirty-two of its thirty-six lines describe what the poem itself calls the ravings of a person who is rebellious against the restrictive pressures that surround him as a priest.
to maintain faith in God, although the thirty-two of its thirty-six lines describe what the poem itself calls the ravings of a person who is rebellious against the restrictive pressures that surround him as a priest.
The poem shows that the poet is
involved in a deep-rooted and desperate struggle with his own soul. He almost
seems to doubt whether God exists at all and gives rebellious expression
against the disciplines of his vocation of priesthood. In the opening line
Herbert writes:
“I struck the board, and cry'd, No
more.”
Thus the opening goes abrupt and
dramatic, evoking violent action, and is delivered in a personal and colloquial
manner. Technically written in iambic meter with varied line lengths, the poem
takes the form of arguments, using logic to make the reasoning convincing and
persuasive.
The second stanza takes on more
personal notes and the poet questions whether he being a priest does not
deserve any reward. Using the image of ‘harvest’, the poet laments that as a
clergy, his only harvest has been a thorn that has made him bleed. His
"sighs" and "tears" have made him ruin the fruits of his
labors.
The lamentation continues in the
third stanza as well. This time, the poet compares his won restrained life to
the free life of other people who enjoy worldly pleasures. He argues that he
also has the right to crown him with the beauty of life and enjoy flowers and
garlands. Growing a little more furious, the poet hints at the future and
expresses the hope that all is not lost.
In the fourth stanza, the poet
becomes almost aggressive and wishes to recover all that has been lost
indulging himself in double pleasures. In fact, this is the most paradoxical
stanza which offers the core meaning of the poem.
In stanza fifth, the poet crucially
loses hold on his own arguments. Herbert now declares to quit his profession
and thus overcome his fears altogether. Ironically he discloses his
shortcomings by showing his own inability to shoulder the responsibility of his
vocation.
Finally, the last stanza is a
resultant anticlimax. This time, the poet is able to come out all of his
‘pettie thoughts’ and hears the voice of God calling- ‘Childe’ and to which he
responds-‘My Lord’. Instantly, the distressed note in the poet is silenced and
the discontent is passed. God does not need to answer the arguments raised by
the poet. His mere presence exposes their hollowness. Therefore, hearing the
voice of God, the poet recognizes his place and position and immediately
surrenders himself to the authority of God. Thus, the final stanza very
beautifully leads to a graceful conclusion making the readers realize the
affectionate relationship between the Creator and the Creation.
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