This essay explores Christopher Smart’s Jubilate Agno in the context of eighteenth-century religious poetry and hymnodies. Written during a time when reason began to overshadow religious fervour, Smart’s work stands out for its eccentricity and deep personal expression of faith. The poem, particularly the iconic depiction of his cat Jeoffrey, highlights Smart’s unorthodox approach to religious devotion, which diverges from both conventional hymn writing and the Augustan poetic form. The analysis traces the poem’s fragmented structure and mystical vision, contrasting it with contemporaneous hymn writers such as Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley, whose works emphasise communal worship. By examining how Smart’s fervent religiosity infused Jubilate Agno with a unique liturgical and spiritual dimension, it highlights his contribution to the evolution of religious poetry. Jubilate Agno challenges the traditional views of hymnody, emphasising individual faith and cosmic praise, and offering new possibilities for religious expression. Furthermore, the essay situates Smart within the broader intellectual landscape, addressing how his poetic innovations reflect a personal and distinct vision of devotion in a rapidly secularising society.
Natsuko Tomoda (Sat,) studied this question.