The Altar

I agree with Maddie's interpretion that the poem is an apology for flawed worship. I will expand on that by saying that I think the author is also saying that he should be punished for such a flaw. The "frame", being the actual box outline of the top of the altar, is where the punishment of sacrifice would commence. However, the sacrifice is also a gift as well as punishment ("cemented with teares"). Death in itself is a traditional punishment but the divine nature of the afterlife, as well as the sacrifice as Gift to god, is almost a reward/blessing. He is claiming the altar by sacrificing himself upon it ("O let thy blessed sacrifice be mine, and sanctifie this altar to be thine").

0 comments: