Journal #35 "Chanting the Square Deific"

In the Walt Whitman poem "Chanting the Square Deific" Whitman talks about the holy trinity that many religions believe in. These religions believe that the trinity consists of God, the Father and Creator of life, Jesus, the Son of God who died for people’s sins, and the Holy Spirit. With this poem Whitman talks about the holy trinity but, he talks about a different look to the trinity talking about the trinity as a square unit with one more person added to it. With this Whitman adds Satan to the holy trinity. He calls it a square deific, with all of the sides complementing each other. The first side he mentions in this poem is God. He talks about him as the Creator of life but, also merciless who forgives no man. In the poem Whitman says, “As the Earth, the Father, the brown old Kronos, with laws, Aged beyond computation, yet ever new, ever with those mighty laws rolling, Relentless, I forgive no man—whoever sins dies—I will have that man’s life; Therefore let none expect mercy—have the seasons, gravitation, the appointed days, mercy? no more have I”. This shows just how merciless God seems to be, but also he is the Father of all life on Earth. The next side is Jesus which he explains by saying “Many times have I been rejected, taunted, put in prison and crucified, and many times shall be again, All the world have I given up for my dear brothers’ and sisters’ sake, for the soul’s sake, Wending my way through the homes of men, rich or poor, with the kiss of affection, For I am affection, I am the cheer-bringing God, with hope and all-enclosing charity,”. This shows us the side of Jesus, God’s Son, and how he died for us and how he gave up everything for the people of Earth. The next side is none other than Satan himself. This is the evil side of square that Whitman describes by saying “Morose, full of guile, full of reminiscences, brooding, with many wiles, (Though it was thought I was baffled and dispel’d, and my wiles done, but that will never be,) Defiant, I, Satan, still live, still utter words, in new lands duly appearing, (and old ones also,) Permanent here from my side, warlike, equal with any, real as any, Nor time nor change shall ever change me or my words.” This shows how evil Satan is and how he has also sort of been the villain to God and still will continue to be. The last side is the Holy Spirit, which is perhaps the most part of the square because, it balances the other three sides. Whitman describes this by saying “Santa Spirita, breather, life, Beyond the light, lighter than light, Beyond the flames of hell, joyous, leaping easily above hell, Beyond Paradise, perfumed solely with mine own perfume, Including all life on earth, touching, including God, including Saviour and Satan,” This is the counter weight to the other three sides and Whitman also says how the Spirit is a part of all three of God, Jesus, and Satan. This is a very strong poem with many religious ties to it.