Peacham and Ripa's Versions of Repentance

Henry Peacham's forty-sixth emblem entitled "Repentance" depicts a forlorn woman sitting under a tree with an object in each hand in front of a fountain. Ripa's version of this emblem, (taken from Iconology Book Four figure 334 page 92, interpreted in 1779), is represented in a very distinctive way in comparison to Peacham's image. The woman is still illustrated with a despondent countenance; but rather than being next to a fountain with a fish and whip in each hand, with mountains and trees as the setting, there is a flat field of flowers in which she is kneeling in the only perceived patch of thorns holding only her garments with which she is removing.

The objects that the image of "Repentance" is holding in her hands in both works are contrary to the other.

One hand a fish, the other birch doth beare,

Wherewith her bodie, she doth oft chastise; (Peacham)

She holds the fish in her hand in Peacham's work to tease and tantalize herself while she is fasting so that she may remember her sins that are the reason for her suffering. Because repentance is sorrow or remorse for wrong-doings (sins), the woman is portrayed as a very sad, unhappy, guilty-looking person in both editions. She also holds the birch in order to whip herself as punishment for the sins that she has committed. In Peacham's works, the birch is raised in her hand as if to show the viewer that she will indeed whip, hurt, and abuse herself as punitive measures for past offenses.

Although the birch and fish are effective means of conveying punishment for personal sins, Ripa's emblem also depicts a convincing means of self-inflicted suffering.

The action of stripping off her dark coloured garments, alludes to a heavenly disposition of divesting herself of all former misconduct. (Ripa)

In Ripa's interpretation of Repentance, the woman is disrobing in an effort to disassociate herself from her past wrongdoings. A reader could easily be confused from her conduct, for undressing is usually perceived as somewhat sinful. Her actions are seemingly contradicting what she is attempting to do, which is to cleanse herself of the sins which she is bearing on her soul. While Peacham's description of the allegorical figure of Repentance is of a suffering nature, Ripa's edition appears to be more of a liberating characteristic.

The key difference between the two depictions of Repentance is that Peacham's representation has an essential fountain that gives a different perspective of the message conveyed in the entire emblem than Ripa's point of view.

Her solemne cheare, and gazing in the fount,

Denote her anguish, and her greife of soule, (Peacham)

The implied message that the viewer can glean from this display is not that of vanity, but rather that of self-loathing and regret for knowledge of her past and how much she must suffer as a result.

Ripa's "Penitence" does not see her reflection, for there is no fountain or source of conveying herself in any apparent way.

The sorrowful and pensive aspect signify reflection, inward affliction, or uneasiness of mind for past offences; and her looking up to Heaven, implies supplication of divine favour and pardon. (Ripa)

Her countenance is not so much that of introspection but rather submission to God and recognition of errors in action and judgment with an apparent desire for forgiveness. As opposed to Peacham's version of Repentance, Ripa's account makes the reader perceive a different means of woe and remorse for past sins that is more extroverted. Peacham's allegorical figure is far more submissive and tame than Ripa's highly emoted young woman suffering on her knees pleading mercy from God.

Both Peacham and Ripa reveal a very pensive woman who seems to know and deeply regret her actions that were mistakes of the past. Although one could perceive her actions as upright, correct, and admirable, it is obvious to the viewer that she is overly castigatory and despondent.

Heere sits Repentance, solitarie, sad;

Her selfe beholding in a fountaine cleare,

As greeving for the life, that she hath lad: (Peacham)

The verses of Peachem's emblem describe a very pitiful, self-deprecating, almost masochistic woman who dwells on her past sins nearly to an excess. Her story is described with extreme pathos, and the reader is almost told to think not of severe penitence as an admirable characteristic, but one to keep relative to all of the other possible traits that a person may possess.

The allegory of "Repentance" is a difficult one for the reader to interpret because it sends such mixed morals within the emblem. The reader can glean from the verses that indeed it is important to not be ignorant of one's misdoings, but to also keep all of the sins into perspective in the larger scheme of one's life.

-Whitney Sones