'To His Mistress Objecting To Him Neither Toying Nor Talking' by Robert Herrick
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You say I love not, 'cause I do not play
Still with your curls, and kiss the time away.
You blame me, too, because I can't devise
Some sport to please those babies in your eyes;—
By love's religion, I must here confess it,
The most I love, when I the least express it.
Small griefs find tongues; full casks are never found
To give, if any, yet but little sound.
Deep waters noiseless are; and this we know,
That chiding streams betray small depth below.
So when love speechless is, she doth express
A depth in love, and that depth bottomless.
Now since my love is tongueless, know me such,
Who speak but little, 'cause I love so much.
Submitted by Melanie Wright
Editor 1 Interpretation
To His Mistress Objecting To Him Neither Toying Nor Talking: A Literary Criticism
Introduction
When it comes to love poetry, few poets come to the fore like Robert Herrick. His poem, "To His Mistress Objecting To Him Neither Toying Nor Talking," is a classic example of Herrick's romantic verse, and has been read and analyzed by scholars for centuries. In this literary criticism, I will dive into the themes, symbolism, and poetic devices used in this poem, and interpret the meaning behind Herrick's words.
Summary
"To His Mistress Objecting To Him Neither Toying Nor Talking" is a poem that addresses a lover's objections to the speaker's lack of physical affection and conversation. The speaker responds by explaining that he prefers to express his love through his silence and actions. He compares his love to a flower that does not need to be constantly touched or spoken to in order to bloom, and he argues that true love is not about physical demonstrations but rather a deep emotional connection.
Themes
One of the central themes in "To His Mistress Objecting To Him Neither Toying Nor Talking" is the idea of love as a deeply emotional connection rather than a physical one. The speaker argues that true love is not about toying or talking, but rather about feeling deeply for another person. He suggests that his love for his mistress is so strong that it transcends the need for physical demonstrations of affection.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of patience and endurance. The speaker compares his love to a flower that needs time to bloom and grow, and suggests that true love requires patience and the ability to endure through difficult times. He implies that his love for his mistress is not a fleeting infatuation, but rather a deep and enduring emotional connection that will stand the test of time.
Symbolism
Throughout the poem, Herrick uses a variety of symbols to convey his themes and ideas. One of the most prominent symbols is the flower that the speaker compares his love to. The flower is a metaphor for the speaker's love, and suggests that like a flower, love needs time and patience to grow and bloom. The flower also symbolizes the beauty and fragility of love, and implies that true love is something that needs to be nurtured and cared for.
Another important symbol in the poem is the idea of silence. The speaker argues that he expresses his love through his silence, and suggests that silence can be a powerful expression of emotion. Silence symbolizes the depth and intensity of the speaker's love, and suggests that sometimes the most powerful expressions of love are the ones that are left unspoken.
Poetic Devices
Herrick employs a variety of poetic devices in "To His Mistress Objecting To Him Neither Toying Nor Talking" to create a rich and evocative poem. One of the most prominent devices is rhyme. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, which creates a sense of rhythm and musicality. The rhyme scheme also helps to emphasize the speaker's arguments and make his words more memorable.
Another important device is metaphor. The speaker uses a variety of metaphors throughout the poem to convey his ideas about love. The flower metaphor is one of the most prominent, but he also compares his love to a bird that sings in the night and a river that flows without end. These metaphors help to create vivid and memorable images in the reader's mind, and help to convey the depth and complexity of the speaker's emotions.
Interpretation
"To His Mistress Objecting To Him Neither Toying Nor Talking" is a powerful poem that speaks to the complexity of love and the emotional connections that exist between lovers. The poem suggests that true love is not about physical demonstrations of affection, but rather about a deep emotional connection that transcends such displays. The poem also suggests that true love requires patience and endurance, and that the most powerful expressions of love are often the ones that are left unspoken.
The speaker's use of symbols and metaphors helps to create a rich and evocative poem that is both memorable and emotionally resonant. The flower metaphor, in particular, is a powerful symbol that suggests the beauty and fragility of love, and the need to nurture and care for it in order for it to thrive. The use of rhyme and other poetic devices also helps to create a sense of rhythm and musicality, which further emphasizes the emotional power of the speaker's words.
Overall, "To His Mistress Objecting To Him Neither Toying Nor Talking" is a classic example of Robert Herrick's romantic verse, and is a powerful exploration of the themes of love, patience, and emotional connection. The poem remains relevant today, and is a testament to the enduring power of love and the complexity of human emotions.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To His Mistress Objecting To Him Neither Toying Nor Talking: A Classic Poem by Robert Herrick
Robert Herrick, the famous English poet, is known for his romantic and sensual poetry. One of his most popular poems is "To His Mistress Objecting To Him Neither Toying Nor Talking." This poem is a beautiful expression of love and desire, and it captures the essence of the romantic era.
The poem is written in the form of a dialogue between the speaker and his mistress. The mistress is objecting to the speaker's lack of attention towards her, and she is accusing him of not toying or talking with her. The speaker responds to her objections by explaining that his love for her is so strong that he cannot bear to play with her emotions or waste his words on idle chatter.
The poem begins with the mistress objecting to the speaker's lack of attention towards her. She accuses him of not toying or talking with her, and she asks him why he is so cold and distant. The mistress is clearly frustrated with the speaker's behavior, and she wants him to show her more affection.
The speaker responds to her objections by explaining that his love for her is so strong that he cannot bear to play with her emotions or waste his words on idle chatter. He tells her that his love for her is pure and sincere, and that he does not want to cheapen it by engaging in meaningless flirtation or small talk.
The speaker's response is a beautiful expression of true love. He is not interested in playing games or engaging in superficial conversation. He wants to show his love for his mistress in a genuine and meaningful way, and he believes that this is the best way to do so.
The poem is also a reflection of the romantic era, which was characterized by a focus on emotion and individualism. The speaker's response to his mistress's objections is a reflection of this focus on emotion and sincerity. He is not interested in conforming to societal norms or expectations. Instead, he wants to express his love for his mistress in a way that is true to himself and his feelings.
The poem is also a reflection of the gender roles of the time. The mistress is portrayed as a passive object of desire, while the speaker is portrayed as the active pursuer. This reflects the traditional gender roles of the time, where men were expected to be the initiators of romantic relationships, and women were expected to be the objects of desire.
However, the poem also challenges these gender roles in a subtle way. The speaker's response to his mistress's objections is not aggressive or domineering. Instead, it is a gentle and sincere expression of love. This challenges the traditional gender roles of the time, where men were expected to be aggressive and dominant in their pursuit of women.
In conclusion, "To His Mistress Objecting To Him Neither Toying Nor Talking" is a beautiful and romantic poem that captures the essence of the romantic era. It is a reflection of the focus on emotion and individualism of the time, as well as the traditional gender roles of the time. However, it also challenges these gender roles in a subtle way, and it is a beautiful expression of true love.
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