A Hymn To God the Father

Question 1

Overview:

Answer 1

The tone of the poem is initially one of concern, as the speaker worries that the sins he has committed won’t be forgiven by God. The speaker however finds reassurance in the fact that the biggest sin he could commit is believing that God won’t forgive him.

Question 2

Context:

Answer 2

• According to Isaac Walton it was written 6 days before his death.

Question 3

“Wilt thou forgive…” “wilt thou forbid that”

Answer 3

• Anaphora - gives the poem a prayer like quality.
• Demonstrates the speakers desperation to be forgiven by God.

Question 4

” I have a sin of fear, that when Ive spun my last thread, I shall perish on the shore”

Answer 4

• Link to the Greek mythology theme of fate - referring to life as spinning on a thread and it is cut when it is over.
• Fear that after death he ends up in a state of purgatory - a pointless state of limbo - drawing on a catholic idea.

Question 5

Significance of time:

Answer 5

• Makes an apology seem more significant.
  “wallowed in a score”
  “year or two”.
• Spent his whole life regretting an repenting - it is only through a fear of death that he just started condemning and begging.

Question 6

“For I have more”

Answer 6

• may be a pun on Anne Moore - his wife - suggests that sins are insignificant because he has his wife.
• ” I fear no more” - suggests a sense of resolution - has decided upon his fate.