Walt Whitman creates a wholly unique spiritual belief in his poem "Chanting the Square Deific." He takes the religious topic and he does not necessarily restrict himself to one single religion. It is related to Hinduism, Roman mythology, and Christianity in a way that is all his own. Whitman's Self is implemented in "Chanting the Square Deific" in a way that solidifies his beliefs for the rest of Leaves of Grass.
What Whitman has accomplished in this poem, a combination of complex interpretations, is an entire background for his beliefs. “Chanting the Square Deific” has taken the typical Christian trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and turned it into a square or quaternity. His third stanza introduces the fourth side, which is Satan. This seems to be how he balances power. Satan is a “comrade of criminals” but also a “brother of slaves” (Whitman). This introduces Satan as an evil entity with warlike characteristics, but he also reaches to the despondent. He is not empathetic, but he is vengeful and a wanton revolutionary. This stanza has important antithetical statements to the first stanza about God. In the first stanza, he says “Not Time affects me—I am Time, old, modern as any” (Whitman). This is countered by the third stanza statement that says “Nor time nor change shall ever change me or my words” (Whitman). This means that Satan is unaffected by God; they are necessary to each other in almost neutralizing one another.
The second stanza, pertaining to Christ, does not seem to oppose the fourth, which represents the spirit. Christ is sacrificial, affectionate, and charitable; he appears to promote life, while the soul embodies it. His sacrifice is shown by him saying “all the world have I given up for my dear brothers' and sisters' sake, for the soul's sake” (Whitman). He is responsible for the soul, but the soul is “Including all life on earth, touching, including God, including Saviour and Satan” (Whitman). They have made up some sort of codependency upon each other for sustenance. This essentially facilitates the understanding of Whitman’s Self.
Whitman demonstrates his relation to all of these deities in every line of the poem. He uses the first person, not to write from the gods’ perspectives, but to proclaim his relation to them. They are all one entity. He concludes the poem in a way that seems to tell the readers that they too are a part of this omnipresent entity by saying “breathe my breath also through these songs” (Whitman). Charles M. Oliver believes that “The last line suggests that the poet himself represents the Santa Spirita, singing not just this "Chant" of the "Square Deific," but all the songs of Leaves of Grass.” It seems more like the “songs” are just referring to the four stanzas, but it is possible that it refers to the rest of the Leaves of Grass. Whitman’s profound illustration of spirituality, gods, and the Self has proven to be explanatory of his own intricate discoveries in life.
Whitman's poem has exemplified a great deal of complexity in religion. He brought his Self into the equation to make a truly intricate relation that incorporates four sides of gods. This poem is important in understanding Walt Whitman and interpreting his songs.
Oliver, Charles M. "'Chanting the Square Deific'." Critical Companion to Walt Whitman: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= CCWW082&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 3, 2012).
Whitman, Walt. "Chanting the Square Deific." The Walt Whitman Archive. Web. 03 Apr. 2012.
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