'HIS LAST REQUEST TO JULIA' by Robert Herrick


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I have been wanton, and too bold, I fear,
To chafe o'er-much the virgin's cheek or ear;--
Beg for my pardon, Julia!he doth win
Grace with the gods who's sorry for his sin.
That done, my Julia, dearest Julia, come,
And go with me to chuse my burial room:
My fates are ended; when thy Herrick dies,
Clasp thou his book, then close thou up his eyes.

Editor 1 Interpretation

HIS LAST REQUEST TO JULIA: A DETAILED LITERARY CRITICISM AND INTERPRETATION

Are you ready to delve into the world of the 17th century poet Robert Herrick and his poem "His Last Request to Julia"? This masterpiece is a perfect blend of wit, love, and philosophy, that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers to this day.

Background and Context

Before we start our analysis, let's set the stage by understanding the context in which this poem was written. Robert Herrick lived during the turbulent times of the English Civil War, which had a significant impact on his poetry. Herrick was a Royalist, supporting the monarchy, and his poems often reflected this political allegiance.

"His Last Request to Julia" was published in Herrick's collection of poems titled "Hesperides" in 1648. This was the year when King Charles I was executed, and England was turned into a Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. The poem is written in the form of a monologue, with the speaker addressing his lover, Julia, and asking her to remember him after he has died.

Form and Structure

The poem is composed of four stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCC. The second and fifth lines of each stanza are shorter than the others, giving the poem a musical rhythm. This structure helps in creating a sense of completeness and closure, as the speaker lays out his final wishes to Julia.

Analysis and Interpretation

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that he is about to die and that he has only one request for Julia. He asks her not to forget him after he is gone, and to remember the good times they had together. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on memory, love, and the transience of life.

Julia, if I chance to die Ere I place the ring on thy finger, I pray thee take it not awry, But wear it for some love of me, As that which lastly made me free From servile bands that did me fetter.

The speaker then goes on to explain the symbolic significance of the ring that he wants Julia to wear. He says that the ring represents the love that they shared, which freed him from the constraints of society. The ring, therefore, becomes a symbol of their love, and the speaker asks Julia to wear it as a reminder of the bond they shared.

In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the nature of love and memory. He says that true love does not fade away with time, and that memories of the past can be as vivid as the present. The speaker compares love to a flame, which may flicker but never dies.

That love which thy breast doth hate and scorn With the same nail thou wilt the cross adorn. And, when I am buried in my tomb, Let that, oh! let that, thy soul's fruition be, And love for me questionless, Be kinder than my destiny.

The speaker then goes on to say that he wants Julia to remember him after he is gone, and to hold on to the memories of their love. He asks her to adorn the cross with the same nail that she used to reject their love, implying that even her rejection was a form of love. The speaker wants Julia to keep their love alive, even after he is buried in his tomb.

In the third stanza, the speaker reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. He says that everything in life is temporary, and that death is the only constant. However, he believes that memories and love can transcend death and live on forever.

And, Julia, when I die, Take thou this veil which I have worn so long, And spread it underneath the sky; And swear, by thy dear self, that thou wilt keep Those churches true, which are my soul's dear sheep.

Oh, let the thought of me thy soul employ, When angels court thee in the realms above; And bear the better part of thy dear love And think it happiness enough to enjoy.

The speaker then gives a final request to Julia. He asks her to take the veil that he has worn for so long and to spread it under the sky as a symbol of their love. He wants Julia to swear to keep the faith, to be true to their love even after he has departed this world. The speaker wants Julia to remember him when she is courted by angels in heaven and to hold on to the memories of their love.

In the final stanza, the speaker reflects on the idea of immortality and how memory can transcend death. He says that although he will be gone, his love for Julia will live on forever, and that she will always be a part of his soul.

And when thou send'st for music, oh! let there Be soft strings heard in every murmuring wind. And make a sweeter concert than birds sing When they at sunset their wild notes unwind.

Nor could I love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not honour more.

This last request I pray thee to perform, When thou hast breathed thy last, and I am gone; Then, Julia, then, thyself thou may'st transform Into that sacred name and lovely stone That I have graved so deep in love's fair throne.

The speaker then asks Julia to remember him with music, and to let the wind play soft strings in his memory. He wants Julia to transform herself into the sacred name and lovely stone that he has carved in love's fair throne, implying that their love will live on forever.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "His Last Request to Julia" is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of love, memory, and mortality. The speaker's final wishes to Julia are a reflection of his belief in the transcendence of love and memory, and that they can live on forever even after death. The poem's use of symbolism, imagery, and metaphor create a powerful sense of emotion and depth, making it a timeless masterpiece of English poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

HIS LAST REQUEST TO JULIA: A Poetic Masterpiece by Robert Herrick

If you are a lover of poetry, then you must have come across the name Robert Herrick. He was a 17th-century English poet who is best known for his lyrical and pastoral poems. Among his many works, "His Last Request to Julia" stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of love, death, and the fleeting nature of life.

Background

Robert Herrick was born in London in 1591 and lived through the turbulent times of the English Civil War. He was a clergyman and a poet who wrote extensively about love, nature, and the beauty of life. His poetry was characterized by its simplicity, elegance, and musicality. "His Last Request to Julia" is one of his most famous poems and was published in his collection of poems titled "Hesperides" in 1648.

Analysis

"His Last Request to Julia" is a poem that is written in the form of a dying man's last request to his lover, Julia. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which gives the poem a musical and rhythmic quality.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker, who is on his deathbed, asks Julia to do something for him after he is gone. He asks her to "gather ye rosebuds while ye may," which is a metaphor for enjoying life while it lasts. The rosebuds represent the fleeting nature of life, and the speaker is urging Julia to make the most of it before it is too late.

The second stanza expands on the theme of the first stanza. The speaker tells Julia that life is short and that youth and beauty are fleeting. He urges her to enjoy life while she is young and beautiful because time waits for no one. The line "And this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying" is a powerful metaphor for the transience of life. The flower represents life, and the fact that it will die tomorrow is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of it while we can.

The third stanza is the most emotional and poignant. The speaker tells Julia that he will soon be gone and that he wants her to remember him when he is gone. He asks her to "preserve the ashes" of his heart, which is a metaphor for keeping his memory alive. He wants her to remember the love they shared and the moments they spent together. The line "And give them to the wind and the stars" is a beautiful metaphor for the eternal nature of love. The wind and the stars represent the universe, and the fact that the speaker wants his memory to be scattered among them is a reminder that love transcends time and space.

Themes

"His Last Request to Julia" is a poem that explores several themes, including love, death, and the fleeting nature of life. The poem is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of it while we can. The speaker urges Julia to enjoy life while she is young and beautiful and to remember him when he is gone. The poem is also a celebration of love and the eternal nature of love. The fact that the speaker wants his memory to be scattered among the wind and the stars is a reminder that love transcends time and space.

Conclusion

"His Last Request to Julia" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of love, death, and the fleeting nature of life. The poem is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of it while we can. The speaker urges Julia to enjoy life while she is young and beautiful and to remember him when he is gone. The poem is also a celebration of love and the eternal nature of love. The fact that the speaker wants his memory to be scattered among the wind and the stars is a reminder that love transcends time and space. Robert Herrick's "His Last Request to Julia" is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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