George Herbert: Poems Lesson Plan

Both "The Altar" and "Easter Wings" are pattern poems: poems arranged in such a way that their shape is as meaningful as their words. Discuss the meaning and significance of each poem's shape.

"Easter Wings" may be easier for students to identify since the shape of wings is more recognizable to a broad audience than the shape of an altar. Students should explain that the wings connect to the motif of birds/flying in the poem. The Easter holiday celebrates Christ's resurrection, or "rising" from the grave, another word that is used in the poem and connect to the birds/flying motif. The poem's overall message is that Christian believers can, through Christ's sacrifice,...