'Love's Strategems' by Donald Justice
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But these maneuverings to avoid
The touching of hands,
These shifts to keep the eyes employed
On objects more or less neutral
(As honor, for time being, commands)
Will hardly prevent their downfall.
Stronger medicines are needed.
Already they find
None of their strategems have succeeded,
Nor would have, no,
Not had their eyes been stricken blind,
Hands cut off at the elbow.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Love's Strategems by Donald Justice: A Delightful Exploration of the Complexities of Love
Donald Justice's poem "Love's Strategems" is a delightful exploration of the complexities of love. Through its vivid imagery and compelling language, the poem delves into the intricate dance of courtship, the power dynamics that underlie it, and the subtle ways in which we maneuver to win the hearts of those we desire.
From the opening lines, the poem immerses the reader in a world of romantic intrigue:
In time, our enemies all seem to look alike. They wear the same expression, perform the same Gestures, and we can easily mistake The one for the other.
Here, Justice sets up the central conceit of the poem: that in the game of love, our rivals become indistinguishable from one another. They all seem to wear the same mask, follow the same script, and play the same role. The speaker suggests that this is a result of our own desires and projections, as we try to mold others into our idealized vision of them:
We want so badly to be loved, to be Understood, that we'll believe anything, Suspend any doubt, forget all reason.
This desperate yearning for love and understanding, the poem suggests, can blind us to the reality of the people around us. We project our fantasies onto them, and in doing so we unwittingly create our own obstacles to intimacy.
Yet despite this inherent difficulty, the speaker of the poem refuses to give up on love. Instead, he embraces the challenge with a sense of playfulness and cunning:
But if we're good, we'll learn to play the game, Learn to disguise our longings with a smile, A compliment, a gesture out of nothing,
Here, Justice suggests that love is indeed a game, but one that can be mastered through skill and strategy. The speaker encourages us to embrace the art of seduction, to learn to mask our true desires behind a veil of flattery and charm. Through these "strategems," we can woo our partners and overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of genuine connection.
The poem's central metaphor is that of chess, a game in which each move must be carefully considered and each strategy anticipated. The speaker compares the courtship of love to the complex maneuvers of a chess match:
We'll make our moves, think ten or more ahead, And try to take the queen, or else to save Our own, and in the end perhaps will find That we have lost ourselves in calculations.
Here, the speaker suggests that the pursuit of love can be all-consuming, a game in which we become so focused on strategy that we lose sight of our own desires and needs. The quest for love can become a kind of addiction, a never-ending cycle of moves and counter-moves that leaves us feeling empty and unfulfilled.
Yet despite these risks, the speaker of the poem celebrates the joys of courtship and seduction. He revels in the thrill of the chase, the adrenaline rush that comes from pursuing one's desires:
We'll make our moves, and who knows where they'll lead, But we'll enjoy the game, its endless twists And turns, its sudden victories, its defeats.
Here, the poem suggests that the pursuit of love is a worthy goal in and of itself, regardless of whether or not we actually achieve it. The journey is what matters, the thrill of the chase and the joy of the game. Through its playful language and vivid imagery, the poem invites us to join in this quest, to embrace the strategies and intrigues of love and to revel in the complexities of the human heart.
Overall, "Love's Strategems" is a rich and evocative poem that explores the complexities of human desire and the challenges of courtship. Through its use of metaphor and imagery, the poem captures the essence of the romantic chase, the thrill of the hunt, and the subtleties of human interaction. By encouraging us to embrace the art of seduction and to master the game of love, the poem celebrates the joys of human connection and invites us to explore the depths of our own hearts.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Love's Strategems: An Analysis of Donald Justice's Classic Poem
Donald Justice's poem "Love's Strategems" is a classic piece of literature that explores the complexities of love and the various strategies that people use to navigate its treacherous waters. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a woman who is "wearing a dress of green silk / And carrying a bouquet of white tulips." This opening image sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes a sense of beauty and elegance. The woman's dress and bouquet are both symbols of purity and innocence, which suggests that the speaker sees her as a kind of idealized object of desire.
However, the speaker quickly reveals that he is not the only one who is drawn to this woman. He describes how "men are following her / Like dogs on a leash," which suggests that she is a highly desirable and sought-after object. This image of men as dogs is significant, as it reinforces the idea that the woman is being objectified and pursued by men who are driven by their primal instincts.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to explore the various strategies that people use to win the affections of others. He describes how some people "use flattery and charm / To win a lover's heart," while others "use gifts and tokens / To show their love and devotion." These strategies are all familiar to anyone who has ever been in love, as they are the tactics that people use to try to win over their crushes.
However, the speaker also acknowledges that these strategies can be deceptive and manipulative. He describes how some people "use lies and deceit / To trick their way into love," while others "use force and violence / To take what they want." These darker strategies are a reminder that love can be a dangerous and destructive force, and that people are capable of doing terrible things in the name of love.
Throughout the poem, the speaker also uses a variety of metaphors and symbols to explore the theme of love. For example, he describes how "love is a game of chess / Where each move is carefully planned," which suggests that love is a strategic battle between two opponents. He also compares love to a "rose with thorns," which suggests that love is a beautiful but dangerous thing that can hurt those who get too close.
Another significant symbol in the poem is the white tulips that the woman is carrying. Tulips are often associated with love and romance, and the fact that they are white suggests that the woman is pure and innocent. However, the fact that she is carrying them also suggests that she is actively seeking love and attention, which reinforces the idea that she is being objectified by the men who are following her.
The language of the poem is also worth exploring, as it is rich with imagery and metaphor. The use of the word "strategems" in the title is significant, as it suggests that love is a game that requires careful planning and cunning. The use of the word "dogs" to describe the men who are following the woman is also significant, as it reinforces the idea that they are driven by their primal instincts.
The poem also makes use of repetition to reinforce its themes. The phrase "love is" is repeated several times throughout the poem, which serves to emphasize the various ways in which love can be both beautiful and dangerous. The repetition of the phrase "white tulips" also reinforces the idea that the woman is being objectified and pursued by men who are drawn to her beauty and innocence.
In conclusion, Donald Justice's poem "Love's Strategems" is a classic piece of literature that explores the complexities of love and the various strategies that people use to navigate its treacherous waters. Through its use of imagery, metaphor, and language, the poem offers a powerful commentary on the nature of love and the ways in which it can both elevate and destroy us. Whether you are a hopeless romantic or a cynic when it comes to matters of the heart, this poem is sure to resonate with you and leave you with a deeper appreciation for the complexities of love.
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