weight of religious duties. He hits the table and says he will go out. He wants to leave his religious life.
“I struck the board, and cried, "No more;
I will abroad!”
This means he is angry and tired. He longs to do whatever he wants. He thinks his life is free as the open road and loose as the wind. He wants to live free and happy like other people. Here, the speaker’s anger shows that Herbert understood the human desire to escape religious duties. This honesty makes Herbert a powerful religious poet because he shows that faith is not always easy.
Guilt and Sorrow: The speaker of the poem thinks he only gets guilt and sorrow in return for his religious faith. He remembers a time when he felt joyful. He says:
“Sure there was wine
Before my sighs did dry it; there was corn
Before my tears did drown it.”
He says there was “wine” and “corn” in his life. It means his life was full of pleasure and blessings. Now, he feels unhappy and alone. The images of ruined wine and corn show Herbert’s skills as a religious poet. He uses simple images to talk about faith and struggle.
The Fight Between Desire and Duty: The main idea in “The Collar” is the fight between desire and duty. The speaker wants freedom. He wants to stop thinking about what is morally right or wrong. He also feels doubt about his faith. He starts to convince himself that his faith is just a false “cage” he has built for himself from his own false “thoughts.” So, the speaker wants to leave this false cage. He wants to break free of the “rope of sands.” As he says:
“Forsake thy cage,
Thy rope of sands,
Which petty thoughts have made,”
This shows Herbert’s honest view of religion. Sometimes following God feels difficult and tiring. But Herbert also shows that this struggle is natural. Religion is not just about blind obedience. It involves questioning and searching. Herbert’s religious poetry is special because it includes this inner battle between desire and duty.
Reconciliation with God: But then something changes. In the last lines, when the speaker is ready to leave his religious duties, he thinks a voice is calling him:
“Child!
And I replied My Lord.”
God does not argue or punish. God just calls him gently: “Child.” And the speaker’s heart changes. He answers with love: “My Lord.” This ending shows Herbert’s deep faith. No matter how far a person goes, God’s love brings them back. He believes God understands our struggles and forgives us.
In fine, George Herbert presents his honest attitude toward God and religion in “The Collar.” He shows that religious life includes struggle, disappointment, and confusion. But in the end, faith leads us back to God’s love. Herbert’s honest and emotional approach to God and religion makes him a true religious poet.
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