Chanting the Square Deific

In the poem "Chanting the Square Deific", Whitman's self spirituality is portrayed (Whitman). This is done through him telling of his spiritual beliefs. He describes at length his spiritual hierarchy, so to speak (Whitman). Deity can be described as "divine character or nature, especially that of the Supreme Being; divinity" (Deity). Therefore, Whitman's poem is referring to what he believes to be the character and nature of the Supreme Being, or God, and is described in four sects, not three like the Christian Church (Oliver). The four Deifics that Whitman believes in are God, Christ, Satan, and the soul.

In the first stanza, Whitman describes in short what he believes is the nature of God (Whitman). He firstly describes God as Jehovah, which in the Bible is the Old Testament name for God (Whitman) (Jehovah). Whitman says that God also describes himself as Old Braham, Kronos and Saturnius (Whitman). Braham, Kronos and Saturnius are what people believe are a Hindu god, Titan god, and Roman god (Oliver). Whitman also describes God in a harsh way (Whitman). He says that god kills whoever sins (Whitman).

The second stanza tells of Whitman's belief in the second deific, which is the Christ. Whitman says that Christ is the consolator most mild, which would be like a tender comforter (Whitman). Whitman describes Christ as a mightier god than God. Whitman says that Christ takes away all of our sorrow, labor, and suffering. He also says that Christ 's sweet love never dies. Whitman also says that Christ is the promised one advancing (Whitman). This most likely means that Whitman believes Jesus Christ is coming back, as is the Christian belief. It is ironic that Whitman holds Christian beliefs, yet believes in a "quaternity" not a trinity, as Christians do (Oliver).

In the third stanza, Whitman describes his beliefs of Satan (Whitman). In comparison to Jesus, Whitman says that Satan is "aloof, dissatisfying, plotting revolt". Whitman says that Satan is the comrade of criminals and the brother to slaves (Whitman). These things seem to be opposites. It is understandable to call Satan a friend of criminals, that makes sense. But calling him a brother to slaves is indicating that he has a soft heart for the downtrodden (Oliver). Satan is the opposite of everything that God is. So for Whitman to include Satan in his square deific is like neutralizing the deific and balancing it between good and evil (Oliver).

Lastly, Whitman describes the soul, which he describes him as he would describe the holy Holy Spirit (Whitman). Except, the soul that Whitman describes is more broad than the Holy Spirit. He describes it as a general soul (Whitman). The soul is opposite Jesus in the square deific. But, it is also including God, Jesus, and Satan. The soul as Whitman describes it is an all inclusive thing, which includes all spiritual things in all realms (Whitman).

In describing his beliefs in the Father, Son, Satan and the Holy Spirit, Whitman was defining himself. Self is a culmination of who you think you are, how others see you, and your spiritual being within you. Therefore, by defining his beliefs, Whitman was in turn defining himself.

"The Walt Whitman Archive." CHANTING THE SQUARE DEIFIC. (Leaves of Grass [1891-1892]) -. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. .

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 4, 2012).

"Deity." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. .

"Jehovah." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Web. 04 Apr. 2012. .