'UPON LOVE' by Robert Herrick
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A crystal vial Cupid brought,
Which had a juice in it:
Of which who drank, he said, no thought
Of Love he should admit.
I, greedy of the prize, did drink,
And emptied soon the glass;
Which burnt me so, that I do think
The fire of hell it was.
Give me my earthen cups again,
The crystal I contemn,
Which, though enchased with pearls, contain
A deadly draught in them.
And thou, O Cupid!come not to
My threshold,--since I see,
For all I have, or else can do,
Thou still wilt cozen me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
UPON LOVE: A Detailed Literary Criticism
When it comes to poetry, one of the most fascinating topics to explore is love. Love has been a central theme in literature for centuries, and poets have been writing about it since the beginning of time. One of the most celebrated poems about love is "Upon Love" by Robert Herrick, an English poet who lived in the 17th century. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at this timeless classic and explore its themes, symbols, and literary devices.
Background Information
Before we dive into a detailed analysis of "Upon Love," let's first take a look at some background information about the poem and its author. Robert Herrick was born in London in 1591 and lived during the reigns of James I and Charles I. He was a clergyman and a poet, and his work was heavily influenced by his religious beliefs. Herrick's best-known collection of poems is Hesperides, which was published in 1648 and contained more than 1,200 short poems.
"Upon Love" is one of the most famous poems in the collection and is often anthologized in collections of English poetry. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, which gives it a light and musical quality. The poem is also quite short, consisting of only six lines, but it manages to pack a lot of meaning and imagery into those few lines.
Themes
One of the central themes in "Upon Love" is the idea of the fickleness of love. The poem suggests that love is something that is fleeting and can vanish as quickly as it appears. The first two lines of the poem read, "Love, like a gipsy, lately came, / And did me much importune." Here, Herrick compares love to a gipsy, which suggests that love is unpredictable and can't be controlled or tamed.
Another theme in the poem is the idea that love is something that is both joyful and painful. The third and fourth lines of the poem read, "But I, alas! would not relieve, / Yet left me tablets in my sleeve." This suggests that the speaker of the poem resisted love, but was still affected by it in some way. The tablets in the speaker's sleeve could be interpreted as a symbol of the pain and longing that love can cause, even when it is not reciprocated.
Finally, the poem suggests that love is something that can inspire creativity and art. The last two lines of the poem read, "To show how these, of force must move, / Who are so learned to love." This suggests that the speaker of the poem is using his experience of love to create art, which is a common theme in literature.
Symbols
There are several symbols in "Upon Love" that help to convey its meaning. One of the most important symbols is the gipsy. As we mentioned earlier, the gipsy is a symbol of the unpredictability and uncontrollability of love. The fact that the gipsy "importuned" the speaker suggests that love is something that can't be ignored or avoided.
Another symbol in the poem is the tablets in the speaker's sleeve. These tablets could be interpreted as a symbol of the pain and longing that love can cause. The fact that the speaker has them in his sleeve suggests that he is trying to hide his emotions, but they are still there, affecting him.
Finally, the "learned" in the last line of the poem could be seen as a symbol of the power of art and creativity. The speaker is suggesting that those who are "learned" in the ways of love are the ones who are able to create art that captures its essence.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking literary devices in "Upon Love" is the use of personification. The poem personifies love as a gipsy, which gives it a human quality and makes it feel more real. The use of personification also helps to convey the idea that love is something that is uncontrollable and unpredictable.
Another literary device in the poem is the use of rhyme. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, which gives it a musical quality and makes it easy to remember. The use of rhyme also helps to create a sense of unity and coherence in the poem.
Finally, the use of imagery is also important in "Upon Love." The poem is filled with vivid images, such as the gipsy, the tablets in the sleeve, and the idea of love as something that is both joyful and painful. These images help to create a sense of emotion and depth in the poem.
Interpretation
So, what does "Upon Love" mean? At its heart, the poem is an exploration of the many emotions and ideas that are associated with love. The poem suggests that love is something that is unpredictable and can't be controlled, but it is also something that can inspire creativity and art. The tablets in the speaker's sleeve represent the pain and longing that love can cause, even when it is not reciprocated.
The poem also suggests that love is something that is both joyful and painful, and it is this duality that makes it such a powerful emotion. Finally, the poem suggests that those who are "learned" in the ways of love are the ones who are best able to create art that captures its essence.
Conclusion
"Upon Love" is a timeless classic that explores the many emotions and ideas that are associated with love. Through its use of symbolism, literary devices, and vivid imagery, the poem manages to convey a sense of emotion and depth that is still relevant today. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who is interested in exploring the complexities of human emotion, "Upon Love" is a poem that is definitely worth reading and exploring in more detail.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Upon Love: A Poetic Exploration of the Complexities of Love
Robert Herrick’s Upon Love is a classic poem that explores the complexities of love. The poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that delves into the different aspects of love, from its joys to its pains. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem to understand the deeper meaning behind Herrick’s words.
Themes
The poem Upon Love explores several themes related to love, including the joy and pain that come with it, the fleeting nature of love, and the power of love to transform us. The poem begins with a description of the joy that love brings, with Herrick describing love as a “sweet delight” that “makes the heavens to be bright.” This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the different aspects of love.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the pain that love can bring. Herrick describes love as a “cruel mistress” who can “wound us with her eyes.” This stanza highlights the duality of love, showing that it can bring both joy and pain.
The third stanza of the poem explores the fleeting nature of love. Herrick describes love as a “fleeting joy” that “soon flies away.” This stanza suggests that love is not a permanent state, but rather a temporary feeling that can come and go.
The final stanza of the poem explores the transformative power of love. Herrick suggests that love can change us, making us “better than we were.” This stanza suggests that love has the power to inspire us to be our best selves.
Structure
The poem Upon Love is structured as a four-stanza poem, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The poem follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines of each stanza rhyming, as do the second and fourth lines. This simple structure allows Herrick to focus on the content of the poem, rather than the form.
Literary Devices
Herrick uses several literary devices in Upon Love to enhance the meaning of the poem. One of the most prominent devices used in the poem is imagery. Herrick uses vivid imagery to bring the different aspects of love to life. For example, in the first stanza, he describes love as a “sweet delight” that “makes the heavens to be bright.” This imagery creates a sense of joy and happiness, helping the reader to understand the positive aspects of love.
In the second stanza, Herrick uses personification to describe love as a “cruel mistress” who can “wound us with her eyes.” This personification creates a sense of danger and pain, helping the reader to understand the negative aspects of love.
Herrick also uses metaphor in the poem to explore the different aspects of love. For example, in the third stanza, he describes love as a “fleeting joy” that “soon flies away.” This metaphor creates a sense of impermanence, helping the reader to understand that love is not a permanent state.
Finally, Herrick uses alliteration in the poem to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, in the first stanza, he uses alliteration in the phrase “sweet delight,” which creates a sense of harmony and beauty.
Conclusion
Upon Love is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of love. Through vivid imagery, metaphor, and personification, Herrick brings the different aspects of love to life, from its joys to its pains. The poem’s simple structure and use of literary devices create a sense of rhythm and musicality, enhancing the meaning of the poem. Ultimately, Upon Love is a timeless exploration of the power of love to transform us, making us better than we were.
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