Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Henry Vaughan was a Welsh metaphysical poet who lived in the 17th century. "The True Christmas" is a poem that was published in 1655.

Context:

The 17th century was a time of great social and political change in England, with the English Civil War and the Restoration of the monarchy. The literary scene was dominated by the metaphysical poets and the Cavalier poets. Vaughan was a Welsh poet and physician who was influenced by the religious and philosophical currents of his time. The poem reflects the influence of the Christian faith on Vaughan's poetry.

Content:

The poem is a celebration of the virtues of true Christian living, including humility, piety, and love. The speaker contrasts the commercialism and superficiality of the secular Christmas celebration with the true meaning of Christmas, which is the celebration of Christ's birth and the message of peace and goodwill that it represents. The poem ends with a call to embrace the true spirit of Christmas and to live a life of Christian virtue.

Form:

The poem consists of 20 lines of irregular meter and rhyme. It is written in a formal, elevated style, with a focus on the theme of the true meaning of Christmas. The poem's structure is carefully crafted to build to a climax, with the final lines expressing the speaker's call to embrace the true spirit of Christmas.

Poetic Elements:

The poem makes use of metaphor and symbolism to convey the theme of the true meaning of Christmas, including the image of the "lowly manger" and the idea of Christ as the "humble king." Vaughan also uses allusion to biblical literature, including references to the Gospels of Luke and John. The poem also features a number of poetic devices, including imagery, figurative language, and rhetorical questions.

Summary:

The poem is a celebration of the virtues of true Christian living and a critique of the commercialism and superficiality of the secular Christmas celebration. It is notable for its use of metaphor and symbolism, as well as its focus on the themes of humility, piety, and love. The poem is a reflection of the influence of the Christian faith on Vaughan's poetry and his interest in the spiritual and philosophical questions of his time. Overall, the poem is a well-crafted meditation that encourages the reader to embrace the true spirit of Christmas and to live a life of Christian virtue.

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