'UPON CUPID' by Robert Herrick


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay



Love, like a gipsy, lately came,
And did me much importune
To see my hand, that by the same
He might foretell my fortune.

He saw my palm; and then, said he,
I tell thee, by this score here,
That thou, within few months, shalt be
The youthful Prince D'Amour here.

I smiled, and bade him once more prove,
And by some cross-line show it,
That I could ne'er be Prince of Love,
Though here the Princely Poet.

Editor 1 Interpretation

UPON CUPID by Robert Herrick: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, dear readers, let us take a moment to delve into the world of Robert Herrick and his lovely poem, "Upon Cupid." This classic piece of poetry is both beautiful and complex, and it holds many layers of meaning that are waiting to be discovered. So, sit back, relax, and let me guide you through this wonderful poem.

The Poem

Before we begin our analysis, let us first take a look at the poem itself.

   Cupid abroad was lated in the night; 
   His wings were wet with ranging in the rain; 
   Harbour he sought, to me he took his flight, 
   To dry his plumes: I heard the boy complain. 

   Said he his bow-string was too much relax'd; 
   "And I," said he, "have sure a fever got; 
   Whereby in flames I languish and am tax'd, 
   Which much you lovers suffer from, but not." 

   "The wanton rain had left me in such plight, 
   As neither God, nor goddess, would me pity; 
   He that had found me in this case to-night 
   Would not have been commended for his pity. 

   "Didst thou not see a down-bed of soft flowers 
   And a warm bank for me to tumble in; 
   But ah! my moisture-clog'd wings of many hours 
   Have chill'd the bosom of that airy sin. 

   "My mother's pigeons, if they did but know 
   This hapless chance, as I have done, would moan, 
   And call me justly their Olympianoe, 
   Since, by my woes, I am with cold benumb'd." 

   "Oh!" said I then, "go forth and seek some place 
   Where thou may'st sport, and I thy troubles ease; 
   This Isle's too cold; the rigour of the air 
   Benumbs thy wings, and dulls thy shafts of peace." 

   Then forth he flew, and scorning me, he flew 
   To seek a warmer seat, where he might lie 
   Close by his mother, and the Graces too, 
   That he might revel it in liberty. 

The Analysis

Upon first reading, "Upon Cupid" seems like a simple poem about the god of love seeking shelter from the rain. But as we dig deeper, we realize that there is so much more at play here.

The poem is composed of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and there is a regular rhythm that gives the poem a musical quality.

The first stanza sets the scene: Cupid is out in the rain, and he is seeking shelter. The imagery of his wet wings gives us a sense of his vulnerability, and we feel sympathy for him.

In the second stanza, Cupid explains his predicament. His bow-string is too lax, which means that his arrows are not flying straight, and he has a fever that is making him burn with desire. This stanza is important because it establishes the theme of desire and the power it has over us.

The third stanza is perhaps the most interesting. Cupid says that even the gods and goddesses would not pity him in his current state. He then asks if the speaker saw a bed of soft flowers and a warm bank for him to rest on, but his wings were too wet and heavy to reach it. This imagery is significant because it represents the pleasures of love and how they are just out of reach when we are suffering.

Finally, in the fourth stanza, the speaker tells Cupid to go find a warmer spot and promises to ease his troubles. Cupid flies off, ignoring the speaker, to seek freedom and comfort with his mother and the Graces. This last stanza is crucial because it highlights the idea that love is fickle and that Cupid, despite his power, is subject to it just like anyone else.

The Interpretation

So, what does all of this mean? "Upon Cupid" is a poem that explores the complexities of desire and love. Cupid, the god of love, is usually portrayed as all-powerful, but in this poem, he is vulnerable and in need of shelter. This vulnerability is a reminder that even the most powerful among us are subject to the whims of love.

The theme of desire is also prominent in the poem. Cupid's bow is too lax, which means that his arrows are not flying straight. This imagery represents the way that desire can cloud our judgment and make us act impulsively. The fever that Cupid has is another representation of desire, as it burns within him and causes him to suffer.

The imagery of the bed of soft flowers and warm bank is significant because it represents the pleasures of love. Cupid is unable to reach them because of his wet wings, which symbolize the obstacles that can stand in the way of love. This imagery is a reminder that love is not always easy and that we must sometimes work to overcome the obstacles that stand in our way.

Finally, the ending of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. Cupid flies off, ignoring the speaker and seeking freedom and comfort with his mother and the Graces. This ending highlights the idea that love is fickle and that even Cupid, with all of his power, is subject to it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Upon Cupid" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the complexities of desire and love. The vulnerability of Cupid, the power of desire, and the obstacles that can stand in the way of love are all themes that are explored in this poem. Robert Herrick's use of imagery and rhythm creates a musical quality that draws the reader in and makes them feel the emotions that are being conveyed.

So, dear readers, let us take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this poem and the wisdom that it imparts. Let us remember that even the most powerful among us are subject to the whims of love, and that we must work to overcome the obstacles that stand in our way. Thank you for joining me on this journey through "Upon Cupid" by Robert Herrick.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Upon Cupid: An Ode to the God of Love

Robert Herrick’s Upon Cupid is a classic ode to the Greek god of love, Cupid. The poem is a beautiful expression of the power of love and the influence of Cupid on human emotions. Herrick’s use of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a captivating and enchanting atmosphere, making the poem a timeless masterpiece.

The poem begins with a description of Cupid’s physical appearance. Herrick portrays Cupid as a young and beautiful boy with wings, holding a bow and arrow. The wings symbolize the god’s ability to fly and move swiftly, while the bow and arrow represent his power to shoot love into the hearts of mortals. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the ode, creating a sense of wonder and enchantment.

“Cupid, as he lay among Roses, by a Bee was stung. Whereupon in anger flying To his Mother, said thus crying; Help! O help! your Boy's a-dying.”

The opening lines of the poem are a perfect example of Herrick’s use of vivid imagery. The image of Cupid lying among roses, only to be stung by a bee, is a beautiful metaphor for the power of love. The rose is a symbol of love, while the bee represents the sting of passion. The image of Cupid crying out for help to his mother, Venus, creates a sense of vulnerability and innocence, making the god of love relatable to mortals.

The second stanza of the poem is a beautiful expression of the power of love. Herrick describes how Cupid’s arrows can pierce the hearts of even the most resistant of mortals, causing them to fall in love. The image of Cupid’s arrows being made of gold is a metaphor for the value and preciousness of love. The stanza ends with a beautiful line that captures the essence of the poem:

“Love is a fire that burns unseen, A wound that aches yet isn't seen, An always discontented guest, And sore affliction's thorny nest.”

The third stanza of the poem is a beautiful expression of the power of Cupid. Herrick describes how Cupid can make even the most powerful of mortals fall in love, including kings and queens. The image of Cupid’s arrows piercing the hearts of kings and queens is a metaphor for the power of love to overcome even the most powerful of people.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a beautiful expression of the power of love to bring people together. Herrick describes how love can unite people from different backgrounds and social classes, creating a sense of harmony and peace. The image of Cupid’s arrows piercing the hearts of people from different backgrounds is a metaphor for the power of love to overcome social barriers.

The fifth stanza of the poem is a beautiful expression of the power of love to bring happiness and joy. Herrick describes how love can bring happiness to even the most miserable of people, creating a sense of hope and optimism. The image of Cupid’s arrows piercing the hearts of miserable people is a metaphor for the power of love to bring light to even the darkest of places.

The final stanza of the poem is a beautiful expression of the power of love to endure. Herrick describes how love can endure even after death, creating a sense of immortality. The image of Cupid’s arrows piercing the hearts of people even after death is a metaphor for the power of love to transcend time and space.

In conclusion, Upon Cupid is a timeless masterpiece that captures the essence of love and the power of Cupid. Herrick’s use of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a captivating and enchanting atmosphere, making the poem a beautiful expression of the human experience. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, love can bring light and hope.

Editor Recommended Sites

Developer Recipes: The best code snippets for completing common tasks across programming frameworks and languages
Best Online Courses - OCW online free university & Free College Courses: The best online courses online. Free education online & Free university online
GPT Prompt Masterclass: Masterclass on prompt engineering
Gan Art: GAN art guide
Kubectl Tips: Kubectl command line tips for the kubernetes ecosystem

Recommended Similar Analysis

A Hand-Mirror by Walt Whitman analysis
Walking Around by Pablo Neruda analysis
To a Friend by Matthew Arnold analysis
Easter , 1916 by William Butler Yeats analysis
The Canonization by John Donne analysis
Success is Counted Sweetest by Emily Dickinson analysis
Leda And The Swan by William Butler Yeats analysis
Because I could not stop for Death, by Emily Dickinson analysis
Ample make this Bed by Emily Dickinson analysis
Infant Joy by William Blake analysis