'TO ANTHEA, WHO MAY COMMAND HIM ANY THING' by Robert Herrick


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Bid me to live, and I will live
Thy Protestant to be;
Or bid me love, and I will give
A loving heart to thee.

A heart as soft, a heart as kind,
A heart as sound and free
As in the whole world thou canst find,
That heart I'll give to thee.

Bid that heart stay, and it will stay
To honour thy decree;
Or bid it languish quite away,
And't shall do so for thee.

Bid me to weep, and I will weep,
While I have eyes to see;
And having none, yet I will keep
A heart to weep for thee.

Bid me despair, and I'll despair,
Under that cypress tree;
Or bid me die, and I will dare
E'en death, to die for thee.

--Thou art my life, my love, my heart,
The very eyes of me;
And hast command of every part,
To live and die for thee.

Editor 1 Interpretation

TO ANTHEA, WHO MAY COMMAND HIM ANY THING: A Literary Criticism

I cannot help but feel excited as I delve into Robert Herrick's classic poem, "To Anthea, Who May Command Him Any Thing". The title alone sparks a sense of intrigue and wonder - who is Anthea? What kind of power does she hold over the speaker?

As I read through the lines, I am struck by the depth of emotion and devotion expressed towards Anthea. The poem is a love letter of sorts, a tribute to a woman who holds the speaker's heart in her hands. But what sets this poem apart from other love poems of its time is the way in which Herrick approaches the subject of love.

Rather than simply praising Anthea's physical beauty, the speaker focuses on her inner qualities - her kindness, her intelligence, her wit. He speaks of her as a goddess, a queen, a ruler, and it is clear that he holds her in the highest regard.

The poem is structured in rhyming couplets, with each line consisting of ten syllables. This gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow, and adds to the overall sense of adoration expressed by the speaker.

But what I find most interesting about this poem is the way in which Herrick subverts traditional gender roles. In a time when women were often seen as inferior to men, and expected to be subservient to them, Herrick presents Anthea as a powerful figure who holds the reins of the relationship. She is the one who may command the speaker "any thing", and he is more than willing to comply with her wishes.

This reversal of gender roles is particularly evident in the lines:

"Bid me to weep, and I will weep While I have eyes to see"

Here, the speaker is willing to do anything Anthea asks of him, even if it means showing vulnerability and emotion - something that was traditionally seen as weak and unmanly.

Overall, "To Anthea, Who May Command Him Any Thing" is a beautiful and captivating poem that offers a unique perspective on love and gender roles. Herrick's use of language and structure creates a sense of admiration and devotion that is both powerful and moving. It is a reminder that love knows no bounds, and that true strength lies not in dominating others, but in submitting to the ones we love.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been used for centuries to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. One of the most celebrated poets of all time is Robert Herrick, who is known for his beautiful and lyrical poems. One of his most famous works is "To Anthea, Who May Command Him Any Thing," which is a poem that is full of love, passion, and devotion. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

"To Anthea, Who May Command Him Any Thing" is a love poem that was written by Robert Herrick in the 17th century. The poem is addressed to Anthea, who is believed to be a fictional character created by Herrick. The poem is full of romantic imagery and metaphors that are used to express the poet's love and devotion to Anthea.

The poem begins with the poet addressing Anthea and telling her that she has the power to command him to do anything. He tells her that he is at her mercy and that he will do anything to please her. This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of passion and devotion.

The second stanza of the poem is where the poet begins to use metaphors to describe his love for Anthea. He compares his love to a bird that is free to fly wherever it wants. He tells Anthea that his love is like a bird that is free to fly to the highest heights and the deepest depths. This metaphor is used to show the depth and intensity of the poet's love for Anthea.

In the third stanza, the poet uses another metaphor to describe his love for Anthea. He compares his love to a flower that is blooming in the spring. He tells Anthea that his love is like a flower that is blooming in the spring, full of life and beauty. This metaphor is used to show the beauty and vitality of the poet's love for Anthea.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where the poet begins to express his desire for Anthea. He tells her that he wants to be her servant and that he will do anything to please her. He tells her that he wants to be her slave and that he will do anything to make her happy. This stanza is full of passion and desire, and it shows the depth of the poet's love for Anthea.

The fifth stanza of the poem is where the poet begins to use religious imagery to describe his love for Anthea. He compares his love to a saint who is devoted to God. He tells Anthea that his love is like a saint who is devoted to God, full of faith and devotion. This religious imagery is used to show the purity and sincerity of the poet's love for Anthea.

The final stanza of the poem is where the poet expresses his hope for the future. He tells Anthea that he hopes that their love will last forever and that they will be together until the end of time. He tells her that he will always be faithful to her and that he will never betray her. This final stanza is full of hope and optimism, and it shows the poet's belief in the power of love.

In conclusion, "To Anthea, Who May Command Him Any Thing" is a beautiful and lyrical poem that is full of love, passion, and devotion. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the depth of human emotion. Robert Herrick's use of metaphors and religious imagery adds depth and meaning to the poem, and it shows the poet's skill as a wordsmith. This classic poem is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty and power of poetry.

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