Let My Heart Be Tuned to Thee. The Puritan Attitude Towards Music and Aesthetics in the 17th Century.

Abstract

In their zealous resistance against the Church of Rome, the Puritans wanted to purify the church of all popish elements and other human institutions. As to the role of music in the church, they thought that all music should be sung without instrumental accompaniment, and that the songs should be literally based on Scripture in order to edify the believer in church. When dealing with the Puritans and art, this is almost everything they are known for. This thesis explores the Puritans' beliefs and their general notions about art and analyses their poetry for artistic qualities. With these qualities in mind, it delves into descriptions about music in order to reach a conclusion about the Puritans stance on art and musical entertainment.