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Difficulty: MediumFigurative Language Devices

Read the following poem by George Herbert (published 1633) carefully before choosing your answer:

1 When God at first made man,
2 Having a glass of blessings standing by,
3 "Let us," said he, "pour on him all we can.
4 Let the world's riches, which dispersed lie,
5 Contract into a span."
6 So strength first made a way;
7 Then beauty flowed, then wisdom, honour, pleasure.
8 When almost all was out, God made a stay,
9 Perceiving that, alone of all his treasure,
10 Rest in the bottom lay.
11 "For if I should," said he,
12 "Bestow this jewel also on my creature,
13 He would adore my gifts instead of me,
14 And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature;
15 So both should losers be."

In lines 11–15, the metaphorical characterization of rest as "this jewel" (line 12) primarily serves to achieve which of the following effects?

  1. A
    provide a literal description of the physical treasures stored at the bottom of the glass
  2. B
    label the figurative device to show that rest is a physical ornament worn by humanity
  3. emphasize its precious, desirable nature while demonstrating why withholding it keeps humanity dependent on the CreatorAnswer
  4. D
    convey the poet's own personal grievances regarding biographical spiritual exhaustion
  5. E
    signify a sudden shift in the speaker's tone from calm reflection to bitter condemnation

Answer

The option emphasizing that the metaphor of the "jewel" highlights the precious nature of rest while explaining that withholding it keeps humanity dependent on the Creator.
By describing rest as a 'jewel,' the speaker uses a metaphor that emphasizes its extreme value and desirability. The surrounding context reveals that God purposefully withholds this gift so that humans will seek the Creator rather than becoming self-satisfied with the creation itself. Thus, the metaphor highlights the value of the gift and the divine reasoning behind its withholding.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the figurative language in context
In line 12, 'this jewel' is a direct metaphorical reference to 'Rest' from line 10.
Understanding the target of the metaphor is necessary to analyze its function.
2
Evaluate the surrounding argument in the passage
Lines 11–15 present God's internal reasoning: if humanity received rest, they would worship the creation ('adore my gifts') rather than the Creator ('the God of Nature').
The function of a device must align with the thematic progression of the lines.
3
Synthesize the function of the metaphor
The metaphor of the 'jewel' elevates rest as the most valuable blessing, explaining why its absence creates the restlessness that draws humanity back to God.
This shows how the device functions within the overall meaning of the poem.

Key Concept

Analyzing the function of a specific figurative device within a poetic context
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Topics

Figurative Language Devices

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