Voluble Soul, The HB: Thomas Traherne's Poetic Style and Thought

Richard Willmott's book explores Traherne's metaphysical poetry, offering guidance for students of English and theology, highlighting his delight in the capacity of his soul to approach God through an appreciation of His infinite creation.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 200 pages
\n Publication date: 24 June 2021
\n Publisher: James Clarke & Co Ltd
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The world's fair beauty set my soul ablaze, igniting a profound fascination within me. In this comprehensive exploration of Traherne's entire poetic oeuvre, Richard Willmott delves into the metaphysical realm, offering insights to those captivated by the beauty of his language yet perplexed by its enigmatic meaning. He provides guidance for both English students seeking to understand Traherne's theological concepts and theology students deterred by seventeenth-century poetic conventions and diction. Through a rich array of quotations, Willmott examines Traherne's verse alongside that of his contemporaries, including Andrew Marvell, Lucy Hutchinson, Anne Bradstreet, and Edward Taylor. At the heart of Traherne's poetry and generous theology lies his profound delight in the capacity of his soul to approach God through an appreciation of His infinite creation. This soul is not merely vocal, capable of expressing its thoughts with fluency, but also possesses the remarkable ability to encompass the entirety of God's creation, embracing everything it perceives. It contemplates the latest scientific speculations about the atom and astronomy, as well as critically examines Restoration society's materialism and, in a startlingly savage satire, exposes the corruption of the royal court. Traherne's poetry is a tapestry of profound introspection, spirituality, and social commentary, resonating with readers across generations.

\n Weight: 578g\n
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 28 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780718895686\n \n