Lack of religion
“The Lives of the Fathers” is an epic poem that focuses on religion and its practical value. The poem also talks about those who do not have faith and they are compared here with a house that has no foundation. This house later crumbles and everyone inside dies a tragic death. This comparison is used here to highlight the importance of believing in God and being religious. Just like a house without a strong foundation was unlikely to pass the test of time, a person without any religious inclinations was unlikely to have a happy and fulfilling life.
The bed
In “Thais”, an abbot goes to a woman who is known for being an easy woman in an attempt to help her find forgiveness. The first thing the abbot sees when he enters the room where the prostitute was staying was her bed, filled with embroideries. The bed is important here because it is used as a metaphor. As such, the bed is used to represent the woman’s sinful nature.
Lips and eyes
In “Carnal Love Is Folly” the narrator describes an easy woman who smiles easily at every man passing them by and looking at the men with a hidden message in her eyes. The lips and eyes in this context become a metaphor which the narrator uses to represent carnal desires and the things that may push a person to commit an unforgivable sin.
Nature
In “Earth upon Earth” the narrator discusses the way in which God created everything we see and all the things which bring us joy. A great attention is given to the natural phenomenon such as lightning storms and other events which inspire fear. These natural events are also given a metaphorical meaning and are seen as a manifestation of God’s power.
Metaphor for humility
In “Lament for Simon de Montfort” the narrator talks about a poor abbot who did everything he could to help those in need. The abbot gave everything he had and at the end of this life, he had no money left. The narrator describes the abbot’s clothes which are all tattered and torn and these clothes also become a metaphor used to represent humility.
