The Representation Of The Sign "Baroque Temple" In George Herbert's Collection Of Poetry

George Herbert(1593-1633),one of the representatives of the metaphysical poets in the seventeenth century,is well-known as the “sweet singer of the temple”.His famous collection of poetry,The Temple,has won world wide acclaim of readers from all walks of life ever since its first publication in 1633.The pervasive presentation of devout religious thought and unique artistic expressions in the collection have attracted much attention from numerous researchers.There is no research on Herbert's poetry from the perspective of the Semiotics in the field of Herbert domestic study and overseas study as well.Therefore,this thesis intends to elaborate the representation of the sign “Baroque Temple” in Herbert's collection of poetry.Herbert constructs a temple of intense Baroque style via the representation of the sign in his poetry anthology The Temple.A sign is considered to be the perception of meaning and establishes a one-to-many association with the objects being represented.This thesis explores the representation of the sign “Baroque Temple” with the natures of icon,rhetoric and symbol from three dimensions of reality,art and spirit: church icon,the dramatic stage and the inner sanctuary.Chapter One of this thesis explores the representation of the sign “Baroque Temple” as church icon in The Temple.The church depicted in the collection in appearance is free and unrestrained with irregular curves,giving a dynamic feeling with countless changes.Combined with a variety of decorative objects and works of art,Baroque church manifests its irregular and gorgeous features different from other churches.Chapter Two manifests the representation of the sign “Baroque Temple” in The Temple,that is,the dramatic stage.It features Baroque style by chiaroscuro effect with light and shade on visional stage.In addition,by the expression of dramatic monologue,the dynamic relationship between the speaker and the Lord vividly presents the tension of the “Baroque Temple”.Chapter Three elaborates the representation of the sign “Baroque Temple” as the inner sanctuary.It is a spiritual cage full of paradoxes and confusion.It is also a fancy celestial temple to achieve the freedom of the spirit in idyllic life.Through the analysis of the different representation of the sign “Baroque Temple” in Herbert's poetry,this thesis presents the Baroque characteristics of Herbert's collection.In addition,it also reveals Herbert's inner contradiction and confusion and the hope of improving the social status.The representation of the sign “Baroque Temple” shows its unique form with the support of its contradictory but compatible ideology.Finally,Herbert constructs a stable and peaceful temple in the spiritual world,where achieves his ideal state of being by advocating the divine life.