Assertion Analysis #10: Cotton Mather
Within a Puritan community, it is contemplated to heed and obey the Bible, establish a holy life, and praise to God every second of everyday to fully attain salivation. Any other activity or lifestyle that don’t incorporate God is disrespectful and inappropriate and is deemed as sin or the service of the devil. In his statement, Chasity of Soul, Cotton Mather articulates not only this but also the strict engagement in Puritan theology. Mather surmised that not taking action in anything that obeys or follows the Bible, will deviate God by one’s side and exhilarate the devil.
In the opening portion of Chasity of Soul, Mather states that poetry will cheat God, explicating how it is composed of necromancy and diabolism. He contrasts poetry with drinking from a “Circean cup” using diction. He maneuvers an unfavorable implication with poetry using terms such as “sickly” and “engross”. Mather clarifies and covets us to be aware that poetry is against God.
In his second poem, it distinctly uncovers his inclusive opinion. He uses imagery and rhyme fashioning an image of demons “wagging” their tails as they look upon us serving sin. He wants us to feel guilty for having the pleasure in reading or writing poetry. Mather once again uses diction implying unfavorable implication to clarify that poetry is inferior. He mentions the demons in the poem as “monsters” and exhibits how poetry results into giving satisfaction and capacity towards the devil.
With all being said, Mather didn’t want his followers to wander off and stray away from God. He instilled fear by mentioning the turmoil depths of hell and demons. Mathers believed that imagination, creativity, and artistry was a betrayal to God. This may have what resulted to be the distance from God due to lack of such activities one can take pleasure in but he maintained his followers by having others believe the only thing acceptable was the word of God.
In the opening portion of Chasity of Soul, Mather states that poetry will cheat God, explicating how it is composed of necromancy and diabolism. He contrasts poetry with drinking from a “Circean cup” using diction. He maneuvers an unfavorable implication with poetry using terms such as “sickly” and “engross”. Mather clarifies and covets us to be aware that poetry is against God.
In his second poem, it distinctly uncovers his inclusive opinion. He uses imagery and rhyme fashioning an image of demons “wagging” their tails as they look upon us serving sin. He wants us to feel guilty for having the pleasure in reading or writing poetry. Mather once again uses diction implying unfavorable implication to clarify that poetry is inferior. He mentions the demons in the poem as “monsters” and exhibits how poetry results into giving satisfaction and capacity towards the devil.
With all being said, Mather didn’t want his followers to wander off and stray away from God. He instilled fear by mentioning the turmoil depths of hell and demons. Mathers believed that imagination, creativity, and artistry was a betrayal to God. This may have what resulted to be the distance from God due to lack of such activities one can take pleasure in but he maintained his followers by having others believe the only thing acceptable was the word of God.
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