Thematic Structure In George Herbert's "The Temple"

George Herbert's "The Temple" exhibits a definite thematic structure, a structure which is determined by the incremental repetition of imagery of the sacrament of holy communion. "The Temple" is a metaphor of the Christian experience; in the Christian experience, the sacrament of holy communion serves to renew Grace in the Christian soul; in "The Temple" repeated imagery from the sacrament serves a similar, metaphorical purpose.