George Herbert's "Heaven": The Eloquence of Silence

Abstract

In structuring the poems of "The Church" as a sequence, Herbert leaves little doubt in the reader's mind as to where the dutiful man ends. The closing poem, "Love" (III), has rightly received a great deal of attention for the exquisitely subdued way in which it details man's final union with God. But perhaps the preceding poem, "Heaven," also deserves such careful attention, focusing on exactly how it helps Herbert conclude "The Church" with the peace and rest that have been so elusive up until this point. Much more than simply describing the final resting place, "Heaven" also presents a remarkable solution to a stylistic problem that Herbert faces again and again in his poems. A brief survey of the questions Herbert asks regarding the almost impossible task of the sacred poet provides a useful introduction to "Heaven," which answers those questions subtly and persuasively.