Bring out the significance of the title of the poem 'Regeneration'.
Briefly bring out the theme of the poem 'Regeneration'.
Attempt a critical assessment of Vaughan's "Regeneration'
Illustrate 'Regeneration' as a typical metaphysical religious poem.
Trace the poet's Spiritual Progress in the poem 'Regeneration'.
"Regeneration' means a sort of renewed existence. This means generally the investment with any new and higher spiritual existence. It is a part of the spiritual revelation of a man.
Vaughan's Regeneration is found based on a couple of the Biblical passages that occur in the Song of Solomon (Chapter 4) and the Gospel according to St. John (Chapter 3). The poem traces the progress of the poet, rather his soul, from a state of spiritual sterility to that of an enlightened awareness of Divine presence and grace. This is why, it bears the title Regeneration.
The theme of the poem is regeneration-the regeneration of the poet's soul, confounded with earthly sins and temptations. Though he is his own 'ward', yet he is still in bonds'. He sees around him the spring-time beauty of Nature, yet, he feels ‘frost within', with clouds eclipsed his mind. He is shocked to perceive the glaring contrast between the seen and the unseen, between appearance and reality.
Vaughan's poem 'Regeneration' is his typical religious poem, with a mystical undertone. The poet expresses his experience of the transition from spiritual sterility to the acute awareness of Divine presence and grace. This transition affirms regeneration, not of course material or earthly, but spiritual, and bespeaks a mystical visualization of the poet. The sprittual progress is the main content of Vaughan's poem.
The poem begins with the contrast between the bright, lively environment of the external spring-time and the poet's darkened, depressed mind, burdened with the thought of his sin. Whereas the world of Nature marks the advent of spring, his soul is almost frozen.
"It was high-spring, and all the way
Primrosed, and hung with shade;
Yet was it frost within....."
Nature, in fact, is bursting with new life and energy, beauty and fragrance, but the poet is experiencing forst within...... His sin, like clouds, eclipsed his mind.
".......and sinne
Like clouds eclips'd my mind."
Contrasted with the image of warmth and beauty in the world of Nature, stands here the image of frost within, and "eclips'd his mind."
Yet, the poet's regeneration, rather spiritual regeneration, started as he staggered on the hard and rocky path of life. The sinning soul of the poet seemed segregated from God. But soon the poet had a vision and a divine command to lead him to 'Full East', the holy land of Christ. He experienced the presence of the divine spirit in the blowing wind that seemed to whisper-
"Where I Please."
He seemed to stand at the threshold of the spiritual illumination. His soul was all cleansed of its impurities. And the poem ends on an optimistic note of the poet :
".........On me one breath,
And let me dye before my death."
This is his regeneration, no doubt, spiritual.
Regeneration means the emergence of a new life and, in essence, a spiritual rebirth. The poet prays emphatically for the end of his earthly life of temptations and sins and his spiritual re-birth in the other world.
Finally, there is the technically fine artistry of the poem. The poem is deep and serious in thought. But it is equally rich and impressive in the poetical technique. The title Regeneration aptly brings out the poet's contention and illumination and his transition from a sinful earthly existence of spiritual vacuity to a splendid regeneration as a spirit. The poem is truly of Regeneration. So the title is rightly ‘Regeneration.'
