The Square Deific

Walt Whitman, in his poem "Chanting the Square Deific", writes of a four sided deity whose four sides are necessary to it's effectiveness as a god. It's first side is embodied by such figures as Kronos and Jehovah. This side is described as relentless and unforgiving. Kronos, the Titan of time in Greek mythology, embodies these qualities quite well. Time is unchanging and impossible to hold back, relentless, just as stated in the first facet of the square.

The second aspect of the square is a gentle, calm, and forgiving entity. This is compared to Christ, Hermes, and Hercules. It is worth noting that two of these deities could be considered demigods: half god, half mortal. Christ and Hercules, being such individuals, could possibly be applied empathies towards humans, thus creating their gentleness. Hermes, as well, could have these empathies applied to his persona, or, deisona. He, being messenger of the gods, would have to go back and forth between Mount Olympus and Earth, thus being exposed to mortals more often than other gods. His interaction with humans would result in a greater understanding of their problems. This side, some might say, is the only truly necessary side. Who would not want an understanding and forgiving god? However, Whitman realizes the necessity to have a balance of good and evil as displayed in his third side of the Square Deific.

This side is represented by Satan. The side may seem an unnecessary evil, but in his, "With sudra face..." line, Whitman states the commonality of the facet. Sudra, or Shudra in old Hindu, refers to the lower working class of Hinduism. This is the normal human in Hinduism embodied, through an adjective application of the word, as something evil. However, aren't we all workers? Thus, we all have some of this side in us and the balance is justified.

The fourth and final side is the Soul in all people and deities alike. It is what binds everything together. In the line, "Ethereal, pervading all (for without me what were all? what were God?)," Whitman shows the universiality of the soul. Through this, he also returns to his reoccurring subject of Self. Having a soul, or Self, is what binds us all together. This stanza also shows Whitman's value of Self, seeing as he cites this side as the most solid and important of all four.