'To Amarantha, That She Would Dishevel Her Hair' by Richard Lovelace


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Amarantha, sweet and fair,
Ah, braid no more that shining hair!
As my curious hand or eye
Hovering round thee, let it fly!

Let it fly as unconfined
As its calm ravisher the wind,
Who hath left his darling th' East,
To wanton o'er that spicy nest.

Every tress must be confessed
But neatly tangled at the best,
Like a clew of golden thread
Most excellently ravelled.

Do not then wind up that light
In ribbands, and o'ercloud in night,
Like the sun in 's early ray;
But shake your head and scatter day!

See, 'tis broke! Within this grove,
The bower and the walks of love,
Weary lie we down and rest,
And fan each other's panting breast.

Here we'll strip and cool our fire,
In cream below, in milk-baths higher,
And when all wells are drawn dry,
I'll drink a tear out of thine eye.

Which our very joys shall leave,
That sorrows thus we can deceive;
Or our very sorrows weep,
That joys so ripe, so little keep.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To Amarantha, That She Would Dishevel Her Hair: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Richard Lovelace's poem, "To Amarantha, That She Would Dishevel Her Hair," is a classic example of love poetry from the seventeenth century. The poem is a plea by the speaker to his lover, Amarantha, to let down her hair and enjoy their time together. This literary criticism and interpretation will examine the poem's structure, language, and themes to analyze Lovelace's work and its significance in the literary canon.

The Poem's Structure

The poem is structured in four stanzas of varying size. The first stanza is comprised of two lines, the second of four lines, the third of eight lines, and the fourth of six. The poem's meter is irregular, with lines varying in length from three to ten syllables. The rhyme scheme is also irregular, with some stanzas having a strict rhyme pattern (ABAB, AABB), while others have an inconsistent rhyme pattern.

The poem's structure is important because it creates a sense of progression. The first stanza introduces the speaker's desire for Amarantha to let down her hair. The second stanza elaborates on this desire, and the third stanza is the most detailed, describing the pleasures that the speaker and Amarantha could enjoy together. The final stanza presents a conclusion, with the speaker urging Amarantha to give in to their desires.

The Poem's Language

The poem's language is rich and sensual, with vivid imagery that appeals to the senses. The speaker describes the pleasures of love in detail, using metaphors and similes to paint a picture for the reader. In the first stanza, the speaker tells Amarantha that her hair is like a "golden fleece," and in the second stanza, he compares her hair to a "net of beams." These metaphors suggest that Amarantha's hair is precious and valuable, and that the speaker desires to touch and feel it.

The language of the third stanza is particularly sensual, with the speaker describing various pleasures that he and Amarantha could enjoy together. He tells her, "we'll sit and eat / Our food out of the same dish." This image suggests intimacy and closeness, with the lovers sharing not just a physical space but also their sustenance. The speaker also describes the pleasures of music and dance, with Amarantha's hair becoming like a "thousand twining hands / To entertain the banquet." This image suggests that Amarantha's hair is not just beautiful but also playful and interactive.

The Poem's Themes

The poem's themes center around love, desire, and the pleasures of the senses. The speaker's desire for Amarantha's hair is a metaphor for his desire for her as a whole. He wants to touch and feel her, to experience her beauty and sensuality. The poem suggests that love is not just an emotion but also a physical experience, with the lovers enjoying each other's company and the pleasures of the senses.

Another theme of the poem is the idea of surrendering to desire. The speaker urges Amarantha to let down her hair, to give in to their desires, and to live in the moment. This theme is echoed in the final stanza, where the speaker tells Amarantha that "time and place are lost." This line suggests that the lovers are outside of time and space, inhabiting a world of their own where their desires and pleasures are all that matter.

Conclusion

Richard Lovelace's poem, "To Amarantha, That She Would Dishevel Her Hair," is a beautiful example of seventeenth-century love poetry. Its structure, language, and themes all contribute to its significance in the literary canon. The poem's rich imagery and sensual language create a vivid picture of the pleasures of love, while its themes of desire and surrender suggest that love is not just an emotion but also a physical experience. Overall, this poem is a timeless expression of the joys of love and desire, and its significance echoes through the ages.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

To Amarantha, That She Would Dishevel Her Hair: A Poem of Passion and Freedom

Richard Lovelace's poem "To Amarantha, That She Would Dishevel Her Hair" is a classic work of English literature that has captivated readers for centuries. Written in the mid-17th century, the poem is a passionate plea to a lover to let down her hair and embrace her natural beauty. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of the poem, and examine how they contribute to its enduring appeal.

The poem begins with a direct address to Amarantha, the object of the speaker's desire. Lovelace immediately establishes a tone of urgency and longing, urging Amarantha to "dishevel" her hair and let it fall freely around her face. The image of hair as a symbol of femininity and sensuality is a common one in literature, and Lovelace uses it here to great effect. By asking Amarantha to let down her hair, he is asking her to shed the constraints of society and embrace her natural beauty.

The second stanza of the poem continues this theme, as Lovelace describes how Amarantha's hair "like to nets or seines" has been "wove in curls" and "tied up in silken knots." The use of fishing imagery here is particularly striking, as it suggests that Amarantha's hair has been caught and trapped, much like a fish in a net. The use of the word "seines" also suggests a sense of entrapment, as seines are large fishing nets that are used to catch large numbers of fish at once. By contrast, the image of Amarantha's hair "wove in curls" and "tied up in silken knots" suggests a deliberate attempt to control and contain her natural beauty.

In the third stanza, Lovelace continues to urge Amarantha to let down her hair, describing how it will "float upon the air" and "shine like the morning sun." The use of light imagery here is particularly effective, as it suggests that Amarantha's hair will be a source of radiance and beauty. The image of hair floating in the air also suggests a sense of freedom and liberation, as if Amarantha is breaking free from the constraints that have held her back.

The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most passionate, as Lovelace describes how Amarantha's hair will "enchant the sight" and "bewitch the world." The use of the word "enchant" suggests a sense of magic and wonder, as if Amarantha's hair has the power to cast a spell over those who see it. The image of hair "bewitching" the world also suggests a sense of power and agency, as if Amarantha's natural beauty has the ability to captivate and control those around her.

The final stanza of the poem is a plea to Amarantha to embrace her natural beauty and let down her hair. Lovelace writes, "Then let thy active hand / Rearrange and thy tresses band, / Disheveled let them fall." The use of the word "active" here is particularly interesting, as it suggests that Amarantha has agency and power over her own appearance. By urging her to "rearrange" her hair and "band" it in a more natural way, Lovelace is asking her to take control of her own beauty and reject the societal norms that have been imposed upon her.

In conclusion, "To Amarantha, That She Would Dishevel Her Hair" is a powerful and passionate poem that speaks to the human desire for freedom and self-expression. Through its use of vivid imagery and language, the poem urges us to embrace our natural beauty and reject the constraints of society. Even after centuries, the poem remains a timeless work of literature that continues to captivate and inspire readers around the world.

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