Poetic Exercises: An Exploration of the Influence of The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius on the Writing of Poetry

Abstract

This thesis investigates the question ‘How might The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius influence the writing of poetry?’ The creative practice section consists of a collection of poetry written during and after I made The Spiritual Exercises. In Chapter One, drawing on the writing of Roland Barthes, I characterise The Spiritual Exercises as a series of ‘texts’ rather than a single book. I discuss how the term ‘influence’ might be understood before illustrating the influence of The Spiritual Exercises on the poetry of Robert Southwell and Gerard Manley Hopkins. I explore how making The Exercises might lead to poetic retellings of biblical stories with reference to Samuel Tongues’ concept of poetic paragesis. I then discuss the relationship between poetry and prayer extending Antonio Spadaro’s idea of the threshold between poetry and prayer. Chapters Two and Three offer studies of the work of Denise Levertov and Ted Hughes. I argue that The Spiritual Exercises led to shifts in the work of Levertov and Hughes. Levertov did not retell biblical stories in her post-Ignatian poetry, but utilised them as starting points for reflection on her own faith. By contrast I suggest that meditation influenced Hughes to engage with the Bible at a deeper level and to retell stories in surprising ways. The poetry of both poets illustrates the ways in which the threshold between poetry and prayer can be crossed. A final bridging chapter reflects on my creative practice, highlighting similarities and differences between my own experience of writing poetry influenced by The Spiritual Exercises and the work of Levertov and Hughes. I conclude that The Spiritual Exercises, as a process of meditation, influences the writing of poetry. Ignatian meditation leads to shifts in theme and tone of poetry and can support the creation of imagery. The Spiritual Exercises lead to imaginative retellings of biblical stories and enables poetry to cross the threshold between poetry and prayer in both directions.