Swinburne, His Poetry and Religion Essay Example for Free

Swinburne, His Poetry and Religion EssayBefore one can attack an individual, group, or ideology, it is a logical requirement to achieve a considerable amount of knowledge on the particular subject. This was adhered to by Swinburne, whose familial background and values necessitated his educational activity in the Anglican Church. He knew much about the scriptures, as well as the corresponding interpretative methods of apocalyptics, prophecy, and typology. With this knowledge, Swinburne was equipped with means and ways to express his avouch interpretations through poetry.Acknowledging the Victorian societys preference for biblical allusions, he regularly made use of language that contained religious references that often challenged the issues of the Roman Catholic Church. Swinburne took a fancy to attacking organized religion, particularly the Catholic Churchs involvement in a divided Italy. Parody and blasphemy started to sacrifice their way into Swinburnes works, although he never dismissed the existence of the Churchin fact, its absolute presence became the foundation for his poetry.In Hymn To Proserpine, a 100-line salient monologue, is all about the mythological figure Proserpine, offspring of Zeus and Demeter, who eventually became queen of darkness, and, in Swinburnes terms, demise. The Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate, historically cognize to have opposed Christianity, takes on the main task of be the voice of the poem. Included in the epic are mentions of a pale Galilean, which is a thinly-veiled reference to Jesus Christ.Such a bold statement completely revealed Swinburnes ties to paganism and atheism, which was soon criticised by the press. Another work, Atalanta in Calydon, also impress readers due to its dramatic entrance in the literary world, which was maintained by poetry of subtle and mostly quiet character. Patterned closely after authorized Greek drama, it also utilises elements unique to this traditional formbut with the signatu re style in rhythm and metrical agility.With its Greek structure and ancient themes of being in control of your own fate and the belief in divine intervention, Swinburne succeeded in going beyond the typical Greek tradition of religious acceptance, and appeals to the liven of man to overcome and conquer the tyrannical rule of the gods. Quintessentially Swinburne, with his partiality and focus on sensual and sexual pleasures, upheld the beauty and spirit of life by denouncing the forces that controlled death and decay. On the other hand, one of Swinburnes most popular works, Poems and Ballads, no longer attempted to hide behind the cloak of traditional styles or references.It outwardly declared the poets trashing of convention, and introduced themes that celebrated immoralities such as sexual freedom and philistinism. Within the work, the subjects of The Leper, Anactoria, Faustine, and Laus Veneris were all directly proclaiming the benefits of physical and sexual obsession, as well as excessive and abusive living. Once more, paganism figured prominently as Swinburnes larger theme, with the work dedicated solely to the cult of the goddess of painfrom whom pull out will only result in death.But like the previous Atalanta, Swinburnes use of rhythm and magical verse was worthy of applause his magnate to move within the restricted format nimbly yet exuding the emotions designed per work is a feat still left unchallenged even by many modern poets. Movement appears to be Swinburnes skillas evidenced by the slow and unhurried Laus Veneris, the haste and quickness in The jubilate of Time, the carefree lightness of Faustine, and the swiftness in Dolores.