'TO DIANEME' by Robert Herrick


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Dear, though to part it be a hell,
Yet, Dianeme, now farewell!
Thy frown last night did bid me go,
But whither, only grief does know.
I do beseech thee, ere we part,
(If merciful, as fair thou art;
Or else desir'st that maids should tell
Thy pity by Love's chronicle)
O, Dianeme, rather kill
Me, than to make me languish still!
'Tis cruelty in thee to th' height,
Thus, thus to wound, not kill outright;
Yet there's a way found, if thou please,
By sudden death, to give me ease;
And thus devised,--do thou but this,
--Bequeath to me one parting kiss!
So sup'rabundant joy shall be
The executioner of me.

Editor 1 Interpretation

#TO DIANEME by Robert Herrick: A Literary Analysis

Oh, TO DIANEME by Robert Herrick, how do I even begin to describe thee? Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Nay, for thou art more lovely and more temperate. In just sixteen lines, Herrick manages to capture the essence of love, beauty, and fleeting time.

##Background Information

Robert Herrick was a 17th-century English poet who is best known for his bold and romantic lyric poetry. He was ordained as a Priest of the Church of England in 1623 and served as the vicar of the Devonshire parish of Dean Prior for over 30 years. During his lifetime, he published several volumes of poetry, including his most famous work Hesperides, which contains the poem TO DIANEME.

##Interpretation

TO DIANEME is a poem that speaks to the power of love and beauty. The speaker addresses his love, Dianeme, and tells her that although time may pass and things may change, his love for her will remain steadfast. He describes her beauty in exquisite detail, using vivid imagery to paint a picture of his beloved. For example, he describes her eyes as "two walking stars" and her cheeks as "roses in their bed of snow." Even the sound of her voice is likened to music, with the speaker saying that it "sounds, and sweetly too."

But the poem is not just about love and beauty; it is also about the fleeting nature of time. The speaker acknowledges that everything in life is temporary and that even the things we hold dear will eventually pass away. He says, "Each minute is with swift wing flying, / And every year brings forth a dying." However, he chooses to focus on the present moment and the joy that he feels in Dianeme's presence. He tells her that they should seize the moment and enjoy their time together while they still can.

The poem is also notable for its use of personification. The speaker personifies time, describing it as having "swift wings" and causing "every year" to "bring forth a dying." By personifying time in this way, the speaker is able to make it seem more tangible and real, which adds to the sense of urgency and fleetingness in the poem.

##Critical Analysis

TO DIANEME is a beautiful poem that is both romantic and melancholic. It captures the essence of love and beauty in a way that is both timeless and universal. However, it is also a product of its time and reflects the cultural and social norms of the 17th century.

One notable aspect of the poem is its use of gender roles. The speaker is male and is addressing his female love interest, Dianeme. He sees her as the embodiment of beauty and perfection, and his admiration for her is clear. However, there is also a sense of ownership in his words, as if he sees her as his possession. He says, "Thou art my life, my love, my heart, / The very eyes of me." This possessiveness is a common theme in love poetry of this era, and it reflects the patriarchal society in which the poem was written.

Another aspect of the poem that is worth considering is its use of language. Herrick's use of vivid imagery and personification is masterful, and it creates a rich and sensory experience for the reader. However, the language itself can be difficult for modern readers to understand, as it contains archaic words and phrases. For example, the line "To come in virgin white, hither to marry" might be confusing to someone unfamiliar with the customs of the 17th century. This can make it difficult for modern readers to fully appreciate the poem and its meaning.

##Conclusion

In conclusion, TO DIANEME by Robert Herrick is a beautiful and timeless poem that captures the essence of love and beauty in a way that is both romantic and melancholic. It reflects the cultural and social norms of the 17th century, with its use of gender roles and possessiveness. However, it also speaks to universal themes of love, beauty, and the fleetingness of time. Herrick's use of vivid imagery and personification is masterful, although the archaic language can be a barrier for modern readers. Overall, TO DIANEME is a classic poem that deserves to be read and appreciated for its beauty and its insights into the human heart.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

A Deep Dive into Robert Herrick's "To Dianeme"

Robert Herrick's "To Dianeme" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of love and the beauty of nature. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

Background

Robert Herrick was a 17th-century English poet who is best known for his collection of poems called "Hesperides." "To Dianeme" is one of the poems in this collection. The poem was written in the form of a pastoral, which was a popular genre of poetry in the 17th century. Pastoral poetry typically depicted rural life and the beauty of nature.

Analysis

Structure

"To Dianeme" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming, and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, which adds to its beauty and elegance.

Meaning

The poem is addressed to Dianeme, who is most likely a fictional character. The speaker of the poem expresses his love for Dianeme and compares her to the beauty of nature. The poem's central theme is the beauty of love and nature and how they are intertwined.

In the first stanza, the speaker compares Dianeme's beauty to the beauty of the morning dew. The morning dew is a symbol of freshness and purity, and the speaker uses it to describe Dianeme's beauty. The speaker also mentions the "rosy-fingered dawn," which is a reference to Greek mythology. In Greek mythology, the goddess Eos, who was the goddess of the dawn, was often depicted with rosy fingers.

In the second stanza, the speaker compares Dianeme's beauty to the beauty of the spring. The spring is a symbol of new beginnings and growth, and the speaker uses it to describe Dianeme's beauty. The speaker also mentions the "primrose path," which is a reference to Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." In the play, the character Ophelia talks about the "primrose path" as a metaphor for a life of pleasure and ease.

In the third stanza, the speaker compares Dianeme's beauty to the beauty of the summer. The summer is a symbol of warmth and abundance, and the speaker uses it to describe Dianeme's beauty. The speaker also mentions the "harvest moon," which is a reference to the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. The harvest moon is a symbol of abundance and prosperity.

In the fourth and final stanza, the speaker expresses his love for Dianeme and asks her to be his love. The speaker says that he will love her until the end of time and that his love will never fade away. The speaker also mentions the "eternal spring," which is a reference to the idea of eternal life and renewal.

Literary Devices

Herrick uses several literary devices in "To Dianeme" to enhance the poem's beauty and meaning. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe Dianeme's beauty and compare it to the beauty of nature. The use of imagery helps to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind and adds to the poem's overall beauty.

Another literary device used in the poem is allusion. The speaker makes several allusions to Greek mythology, Shakespeare's plays, and other literary works. The use of allusion adds depth and complexity to the poem and helps to create a connection between the poem and other works of literature.

The poem also uses personification, which is the attribution of human characteristics to non-human things. The speaker personifies nature by describing it as having a "smiling face" and a "laughing eye." The use of personification helps to create a sense of intimacy between the speaker and nature and adds to the poem's overall beauty.

Conclusion

"To Dianeme" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of love and the beauty of nature. The poem's simple structure, vivid imagery, and literary devices make it a timeless piece of literature. Robert Herrick's use of allusion, personification, and imagery adds depth and complexity to the poem and helps to create a connection between the poem and other works of literature. "To Dianeme" is a true masterpiece of poetry and a testament to the power of love and nature.

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