George Herbert’s "The Collar" is an evocative exploration of spiritual rebellion and divine reconciliation. The poem delves into the inner turmoil of an individual straining against the constraints of a virtuous life, expressing fierce dissatisfaction with the sacrifices such a life demands. Ultimately, it reveals a profound resolution offered by a patient and ever-listening deity, who provides solace in the face of human frustration.

The Outcry of Defiance

The poem opens with a striking declaration of resistance: "I struck the board, and cried, No more." This bold statement sets the tone for the speaker’s vehement refusal to endure the oppressive strictures that he perceives to govern his life. Despite his ambitions and desires, he feels ensnared by a reality that conspires to suppress his pursuit of joy. His existence is marred by "sighs" and "tears," and he yearns for the pleasures symbolized by "wine, fruit, and flowers," which he imagines to be tantalizingly out of reach.

A Call for Liberation

The speaker's reflection on past failures propels a fervent determination to seize life's pleasures. He resolves to abandon his tears and instead chase after "double pleasures." Echoing the rhetoric of a libertine, he dismisses inhibitions and moral constraints as "ropes of sand," easily cast off once one chooses to reject them. In his newfound zeal, the specter of mortality—the traditional "death’s-head"—loses its power, no longer a burden he intends to carry. Emboldened, he crafts a maxim of selfish pragmatism: "He that forbears / To suit and serve his need, / Deserves his load."

The Gentle Intervention

Yet this heady rebellion does not culminate in triumph. Instead, it is met with a quiet intervention by a divine voice—a hallmark of Herbert's other works. The speaker's tumultuous rant is answered by a singular, gentle word, "Child," a reminder of divine presence and protection. This soft address penetrates the speaker’s frenzy, revealing that even in rebellion, he is never beyond God's hear and care. The world of rebellion concludes not with the clamor of defiance but the tranquility of divine whisper.

Embracing Divine Freedom

In responding with "My Lord," the speaker not only relinquishes his rebellious stance but embraces the true freedom found in devotion. The poem’s title, "The Collar," ingeniously encapsulates the themes at play: the speaker's desire to escape the confining "collar" of moral obligation; the "choler" or anger expressed in his tirade; and yet, amidst rebellion, he remains a "caller," one whom God is ever ready to answer. Such is the transformation from perceived servitude to the joyous liberty of spiritual surrender.

The poem “The Collar” intertwines form and meaning to depict a journey from rebellion to resolution. Through its structure, the poem captures the speaker’s internal struggle, characterized by tumultuous emotions and the quest for freedom, culminating in a moment of divine clarity. The interplay between chaotic form and eventual harmony illustrates the tension between human defiance and the search for spiritual peace.

Expressing Rebellion Through Form

The poem’s form plays a crucial role in conveying the speaker’s initial state of mind, filled with anger and restlessness. This is reflected in the erratic speech patterns, where short, interrupted statements create a staccato rhythm that underscores the speaker’s agitation. His words, punctuated by rhetorical questions, further reveal underlying doubts, contradicting any notion of confident rebellion.

Structural Complexity and Perceived Chaos

At first glance, the poem’s structure appears to mirror the speaker’s mental disarray. The irregular alternation of line lengths and the elusive rhyme scheme contribute to this perception. By embodying the speaker’s rejection of constraints, the poem’s seemingly chaotic form mirrors his desire for...