An Analysis of Religious Influences in the Poetry Essay

During an sequence in books when propriety and sensitivities were valuable elements considered both by generator and audience, and spirituality was defined by a specific, almost stringent, set of rules, the stretch of young poet Algernon Charles Swinburne produced a reaction most were ill-prep ard to give. For compared to his illustrious contemporaries, Swinburne subscribed to a style and ideology meant to negate all aspects of convention and expand, albeit unwillingly, tolerance for taboo concepts and words.Defiance and aggression, as well as liberty, sexuality, and immorality, were the main themes behind the awe-inspiring lyricism and poetic prowess of Swinburne. This also echoed in the technical chance variable of his work, with his unapologetic and irreverent use of his own brand of alliteration and rhythm. The poet was unabashedly pagan in his sensibilities, and fervently explored areas deemed unsuitable for exposition in cultured Victorian society.Blasphemy was a typica l description of Swinburnes literary efforts, yet the uncompromising wit and satire present in them make for unavoidable reading, almost enjoyable in a morbid sense impressionwhich was literally one of the most prevalent tones in Swinburnes works. Therefore, the set out to find the influence of religion or spirituality in the verse line of such an iconoclast may seem futile however, the fact that Swinburne consciously marked his territory along these sacrilegious lines may be equal to his actual recognition of the concepts he purposely tried to negate.There are no references or appeal to obedience and faith in his literaturecommon virtues required of any religious discussionbut his animation works concentration on the opposite end may have marked him as an excellent study of spiritual affirmation. II. The breeding and Work of Algernon Charles Swinburne The controversial poet and critic was born in Grosvenor Place, London, on April 5, 1837, to admiral John Swinburne, making hi m one of the small number of poets to boast of an blue(a) background.While a student at Eton and Oxford, Swinburne began establishing his literary philosophy done his studies of the poetry of Shelley, and alternately engrossed himself in standard ideologies of academic scholars, including governmental radicalism and atheism. His time at Oxford afforded him various introductions that would eventually figure prominently in his life and careernames such as Burne-Jones, Morris, and Rossetti. Often at the verge of being expelled from the storied institution, Swinburnes penchant for atheism and aptitude for biting sarcasm still received the attention sought, both from admirers and detractors. undifferentiated with his affinity for the concepts of physical pleasure and pain, morbidity, and excess, Swinburne lived a life of almost do addiction to alcohol that resulted in never-ending bouts of collapse and seizures. As his health deteriorated, his lawyer Theodore Watts-Dunton found it necessary to persuade Swinburne to make a pick up lifestyle change, to which the poet agreed by taking up residence in Watts-Duntons estate. Perhaps due to his irreverent and unhealthy way of life, Swinburne at last succumbed to influenza in 1909.