Emblematic Arks in John Donne's "A Hymne To Christ" and the Antwerp Polyglot Bible (1568–73).

  • Published In: ELH, 2023, v. 90, n. 4. P. 933 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Goeglein, Tamara A. 3 of 3

Abstract

Noah's ark ([inline-graphic 01] or thebah) fascinated the Christian Hebraist makers of the Antwerp Polyglot Bible. Their sacred philology interpreted thebah as a singular life-preserving vessel, and their Bible's elegant engravings of thebah insert Christ's crucified body inside it. "Christ's ark," as I call this emblem, figures the life-preserving Resurrection promised in Christ's sacrificial death. I argue that "Christ's ark" informs John Donne's "A Hymne to Christ." In its first stanza, Donne makes a distinctly personal emblem of "Christ's ark," which intersects with the hymn's controversial closing lines. These closing lines express faith in Christ's Resurrection, and, with His Resurrection, Donne's own. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:ELH. 2023/12, Vol. 90, Issue 4, p933
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Religion and Philosophy
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0013-8304
  • DOI:10.1353/elh.2023.a914022
  • Accession Number:174099177
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