Prophet of Felicity: A Study of the Intellectual Background of Thomas Traherne

Abstract

<p>The following thesis is a preliminary examination of the writings of Thomas Traherne, designed to show the relationship between Traherne's own personal intuitions of the relationship between Man, God, and the Universe, and the use he made of external sources to fortify his arguments. It is really little more than an introduction to the works of a man who has been rather unjustly ignored since he was brought to light at the beginning of this century. In my examination I have used all the genuine Traherne material available to me, omitting a consideration of the Hexameron and Meditations and Devotions on the Life of Christ because of their dubious authenticity, in an attempt to provide a comprehensive introductory examination of Traherne' s· main themes, methods, and philosophy.</p>