Voluble Soul: 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: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 283 pages
\n Publication date: 25 November 2021
\n Publisher: James Clarke & Co Ltd
\n

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 juxtaposes 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 expansive 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 considers the latest scientific speculations about the atom and astronomy, as well as appraises Restoration society's materialism with a discerning eye. In one startlingly savage satire, Traherne even takes aim at the corruption of the royal court. Through his profound exploration, Willmott sheds light on Traherne's unique theological perspective, illuminating the ways in which his poetry transcends conventional boundaries and invites a deeper understanding of the divine.

\n \n \n
ISBN-13: 9780718895693\n \n