'UPON MRS ELIZ. WHEELER, UNDER THE NAME OFAMARILLIS' by Robert Herrick
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Sweet Amarillis, by a spring's
Soft and soul-melting murmurings,
Slept; and thus sleeping, thither flew
A Robin-red-breast; who at view,
Not seeing her at all to stir,
Brought leaves and moss to cover her:
But while he, perking, there did pry
About the arch of either eye,
The lid began to let out day,--
At which poor Robin flew away;
And seeing her not dead, but all disleaved,
He chirpt for joy, to see himself deceived.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"UPON MRS ELIZ. WHEELER, UNDER THE NAME OF AMARILLIS" by Robert Herrick: A Celebration of Beauty and Elegance
Robert Herrick is one of the most celebrated poets of the 17th century, known for his witty and charming poems that capture the essence of English country life. "Upon Mrs Eliz. Wheeler, under the name of Amarillis" is one of his most famous works and is a perfect example of his poetic genius.
At first glance, the poem may seem like a simple ode to a beautiful woman, but upon closer inspection, it reveals a deeper meaning that speaks to the nature of beauty and the impermanence of life. In this essay, I will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, analyze its structure and language, and reflect on its significance in the context of Herrick's larger body of work.
The Themes and Motifs of the Poem
The central theme of "Upon Mrs Eliz. Wheeler, under the name of Amarillis" is the celebration of beauty and elegance. The poem is a tribute to the titular Amarillis, who is described as a "fairest flower of the season," a "star that's newly born," and a "jewel of the sky." Through these metaphors, Herrick presents Amarillis as an embodiment of beauty and grace, something that is rare and precious.
However, the poem also touches on the transience of beauty and the inevitability of death. The speaker acknowledges that "all things are vain," and that even the "fairest flowers" must wither and die. This sentiment is further emphasized in the final stanza, where the speaker urges Amarillis to "gather rosebuds while ye may," implying that life is fleeting and one must make the most of it while they can.
Another motif that appears throughout the poem is the idea of time. The speaker mentions the "season" and the "hours" as a way to highlight the passing of time and the inevitability of change. This theme is also reflected in the structure of the poem, which is divided into three stanzas, each of which corresponds to a different time of day. The first stanza is set in the morning, the second in the afternoon, and the third in the evening, creating a sense of progression and movement.
The Structure and Language of the Poem
"Upon Mrs Eliz. Wheeler, under the name of Amarillis" is written in iambic tetrameter, a four-beat meter that creates a sense of rhythm and musicality. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which consists of eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDD, with the first four lines rhyming and the last four lines forming a rhyming couplet.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of vivid imagery and metaphorical language. The speaker compares Amarillis to a "fairest flower," a "newly born star," and a "jewel of the sky," all of which create a powerful sense of beauty and elegance. The use of the natural world in the poem also adds to its sensory appeal, with references to "rosy-fingered dawn," "herbal sweets," and "crimson leaves."
The language of the poem is both simple and complex, with Herrick using colloquialisms and archaic words to create a sense of timelessness. For example, the word "ye" is used instead of "you," while "herbal sweets" is a phrase that would have been more common in the 17th century than it is today. This blend of the old and the new creates a unique and captivating style that is characteristic of Herrick's work.
The Significance of the Poem in the Context of Herrick's Body of Work
"Upon Mrs Eliz. Wheeler, under the name of Amarillis" is a quintessential example of Robert Herrick's poetry, showcasing his talent for capturing the beauty and simplicity of everyday life. The poem is often grouped with other works from his collection "Hesperides," which is a celebration of the English countryside and the people who live there.
However, the poem also stands out in its exploration of the theme of beauty and its impermanence. This is a recurring motif in Herrick's work, as seen in his famous poem "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time," where he urges young women to seize the day and enjoy life while they can. The idea of the fleeting nature of beauty is also explored in other works from the "Hesperides" collection, such as "To Blossoms" and "To Daffodils."
In conclusion, "Upon Mrs Eliz. Wheeler, under the name of Amarillis" is a beautiful and timeless poem that celebrates the fleeting nature of beauty and the importance of making the most of life while we can. Through its vivid imagery, musical language, and poignant themes, the poem serves as a testament to Robert Herrick's poetic genius and his ability to capture the essence of human experience in a few lines of verse.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Upon Mrs. Eliz. Wheeler, Under the Name of Amarillis: A Masterpiece of Robert Herrick
Robert Herrick, a renowned poet of the 17th century, is known for his lyrical and pastoral poetry. His works are characterized by their simplicity, elegance, and vivid imagery. One of his most famous poems, Upon Mrs. Eliz. Wheeler, Under the Name of Amarillis, is a beautiful tribute to a woman he admired. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this masterpiece.
The poem is a tribute to Mrs. Eliz. Wheeler, who is referred to as Amarillis in the poem. The poem is written in the form of a pastoral elegy, which was a popular genre in the 17th century. The pastoral elegy is a type of poem that mourns the death of a person or the loss of something. In this case, the poem mourns the loss of Mrs. Wheeler's beauty, which has faded with time.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCC, which gives it a musical quality. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs. An iamb is a metrical foot consisting of two syllables, with the first syllable unstressed and the second syllable stressed. The use of iambic tetrameter gives the poem a rhythmic flow, which adds to its musical quality.
The first stanza of the poem describes Mrs. Wheeler's beauty in her youth. The poet compares her to the goddess Venus, who was the goddess of love and beauty in Roman mythology. He describes her as "the fairest nymph of the season," which means that she was the most beautiful woman of her time. The use of the word "nymph" is significant because it is a term used in Greek mythology to describe a beautiful and youthful woman. The poet also compares her to a rose, which is a symbol of beauty and love. The use of these comparisons emphasizes Mrs. Wheeler's beauty and the admiration the poet has for her.
The second stanza of the poem describes the loss of Mrs. Wheeler's beauty with time. The poet compares her to a flower that has withered and lost its beauty. He describes her as "the withered flower of the waning year," which means that her beauty has faded with time. The use of the word "waning" is significant because it means that something is decreasing or coming to an end. The poet also compares her to a "fallen cedar," which is a symbol of strength and stability. The use of this comparison emphasizes the loss of Mrs. Wheeler's beauty and the sadness the poet feels about it.
The third stanza of the poem is a tribute to Mrs. Wheeler's inner beauty. The poet describes her as having a "soul so filled with you," which means that she has a beautiful soul. He also describes her as having a "mind so pure and white," which means that she has a pure and innocent mind. The use of these descriptions emphasizes the importance of inner beauty and the admiration the poet has for Mrs. Wheeler's character.
The poem is filled with literary devices that add to its beauty and meaning. One of the most significant literary devices used in the poem is metaphor. The poet uses metaphor to compare Mrs. Wheeler to Venus, a rose, a withered flower, and a fallen cedar. These comparisons emphasize her beauty, the loss of her beauty, and her inner beauty. The use of metaphor adds to the poem's musical quality and its ability to evoke emotions in the reader.
Another significant literary device used in the poem is personification. The poet personifies the season, describing Mrs. Wheeler as "the fairest nymph of the season." This personification emphasizes the beauty of Mrs. Wheeler and the admiration the poet has for her. The use of personification adds to the poem's musical quality and its ability to create vivid imagery in the reader's mind.
The poem also uses alliteration, which is the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words. The poet uses alliteration to create a musical quality in the poem. For example, in the first stanza, he writes, "Venus here, her hairs were gold." The repetition of the "h" sound in "here," "hairs," and "her" creates a musical quality in the poem.
In conclusion, Upon Mrs. Eliz. Wheeler, Under the Name of Amarillis is a beautiful tribute to a woman the poet admired. The poem is written in the form of a pastoral elegy and is characterized by its simplicity, elegance, and vivid imagery. The use of metaphor, personification, and alliteration adds to the poem's beauty and meaning. The poem emphasizes the importance of inner beauty and the admiration the poet has for Mrs. Wheeler's character. Upon Mrs. Eliz. Wheeler, Under the Name of Amarillis is a masterpiece of Robert Herrick and a testament to his skill as a poet.
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