The Asthmatic Man to the Satan That Binds Him explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Suffering and Purification

  The asthmatic man endures physical torment from Satan as a trial, awaiting purification through death.

• Redemption and Grace

  The man trusts in Christ's angel Death to set him free, ending his suffering and making him a man.

Characters to notice

• Satan

  The tormentor who binds the asthmatic man, burrowing in his breast and choking him.

• Death

  Christ's angel who will come with a cold breath to scare Satan away and give the man fresh air.

Key passages

• “Satan, avaunt! Nay, take thine hour, Thou canst not daunt, Thou hast no power; Be welcome to thy nest, Though it be in my breast.”

  Satan, go away! No, stay your time—you cannot frighten me, you have no power; you are welcome to your home, even if it is inside my chest.

  The speaker defiantly welcomes Satan's presence, asserting his own courage.

• “Satan, thy might I do defy; Live core of night I patient lie: A wind comes up the gray Will blow thee clean away.”

  Satan, I defy your power; I lie patiently at the dark heart of night: a wind rises from the gray sky that will blow you completely away.

  The speaker expresses patient defiance, anticipating a divine wind that will dispel Satan.

• “Christ's angel, Death, All radiant white, With one cold breath Will scare thee quite, And give my lungs an air As fresh as answered prayer.”

  Christ's angel, Death, shining white, with one cold breath will frighten you completely and give my lungs air as fresh as a prayer that has been answered.

  Death is portrayed as a liberating angel who will restore the speaker's breath.

• “So, Satan, do Thy worst with me Until the True Shall set me free, And end what he began, By making me a man.”

  So, Satan, do your worst to me until the True One sets me free and finishes what he started by making me a man.

  The speaker endures Satan's torment until Christ completes his work of making him fully human.