'Know, Celia, Since Thou Art So Proud' by Thomas Carew
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Know, Celia, since thou art so proud,
'Twas I that gave thee thy renown.
Thou hadst in the forgotten crowd
Of common beauties lived unknown
Had not my verse extolled thy name,
And with it imped the wings of Fame.
That killing power is none of thine;
I gave it to thy voice and eyes.
Thy sweets, thy graces, all are mine;
Thou art my star, shin'st in my skies:
Then dart not from thy borrowed sphere
Lightning on him that fixed thee there.
Tempt me with such affrights no more,
Lest what I made I uncreate.
Let fools thy mystic form adore,
I know thee in thy mortal state.
Wise poets, that wrapped truth in tales,
Knew her themselves through all her veils.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Know, Celia, Since Thou Art So Proud by Thomas Carew
When one thinks of the classic poets of the 17th century, names like John Donne, Andrew Marvell, and John Milton come to mind. However, one must not forget the lesser-known but equally talented poets of this era, such as Thomas Carew. In his poem "Know, Celia, Since Thou Art So Proud," Carew delves into the complex themes of love, pride, and humility in a way that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.
The Poem
Know, Celia, since thou art so proud, 'Twas I that gave thee thy renown. Thou hadst, in the forgotten crowd Of common beauties, lived unknown Had not my verse exhaled thy name, And with it, imp'd the wings of fame.
The opening stanza of the poem sets the stage for what is to come. Carew addresses a woman named Celia, who is described as being proud. He then takes credit for "giving her renown," stating that she would have remained "unknown" had it not been for his poetry. This immediately raises the question of whether or not Carew is being sincere in his praise of Celia. Is he truly in love with her, or is he simply using her for his own gain?
But now the world shall know thy fame, And envy shall applaud thy name.
In the second stanza, Carew declares that the world will now know Celia's fame, and that even her enemies will have to acknowledge her greatness. This is a common theme in poetry of this time period, as poets often used their work as a means of immortalizing their subjects. But again, one must question Carew's intentions. Is he truly doing this for Celia's sake, or is he more concerned with his own reputation as a poet?
Why should the vulgar have a share, (In that which poets make their own,) A prerogative which they should spare, To judgment and to fame alone? To thee alone thyself we owe, Thyself thy praise, thyself thy fame shouldst know.
The third stanza is where the poem really begins to take on a more complex tone. Carew questions why the common people should have any say in matters of art and beauty, stating that these things should be left to the judgment of the more educated and refined. He then tells Celia that she alone is responsible for her own fame and should not rely on others to give it to her.
But this stanza also raises the question of whether or not Carew is really as elitist as he seems. Is he truly advocating for a more refined culture, or is he simply trying to flatter Celia by telling her that she is above the common people? This ambiguity is what makes the poem so fascinating and multi-layered.
But while I thus my thoughts forbear, The flames again break out afresh, And fancy to the skies repair, To fetch the quintessence of flesh, And tell the stars, that fond desire Has rent the veil of heavenly fire.
In the final stanza, Carew's true feelings are revealed. He confesses that despite his earlier statements about Celia's fame being entirely her own, he cannot help but feel a burning desire for her. He imagines his passion as being so strong that it has "rent the veil of heavenly fire." This is a beautiful and powerful image, one that encapsulates the intensity of his emotions.
Literary Criticism
At its core, "Know, Celia, Since Thou Art So Proud" is a poem about the complexities of love and pride. Carew explores these themes in a way that is both universal and timeless. The question of whether or not he truly loves Celia or is simply using her for his own gain is one that has been asked of poets and artists for centuries.
But what sets Carew's poem apart is his use of language and imagery. His descriptions of Celia are both beautiful and vivid, and his use of metaphors and allusions adds a depth and complexity to the poem that is truly remarkable. For example, his use of the phrase "quintessence of flesh" to describe his desire for Celia is both poetic and sensual.
Another aspect of the poem that is worth noting is its structure. Each stanza follows a similar pattern, with the first two lines setting up the theme of the stanza and the final two lines providing a twist or shift in perspective. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance that adds to the poem's overall beauty.
Interpretation
So what can we take away from "Know, Celia, Since Thou Art So Proud?" Perhaps the most important lesson is the danger of pride. Celia's pride is what drew Carew to her in the first place, but it is also what makes her vulnerable to his manipulations. In a world where image and reputation are everything, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters.
But the poem also reminds us of the power of love. Despite his initial intentions, Carew cannot help but be consumed by his desire for Celia. His passion is what makes the poem so powerful and memorable. In the end, it is love that triumphs over all else.
In conclusion, "Know, Celia, Since Thou Art So Proud" is a stunning example of 17th-century poetry. It explores complex themes in a way that is both beautiful and thought-provoking, and its use of language and imagery is truly remarkable. It is a poem that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Know, Celia, Since Thou Art So Proud: An Analysis of Thomas Carew's Classic Poem
Thomas Carew's poem "Know, Celia, Since Thou Art So Proud" is a classic example of the metaphysical poetry of the seventeenth century. The poem is a witty and ironic commentary on the theme of pride and its consequences. The speaker of the poem addresses a woman named Celia, who is proud of her beauty and her social status. The speaker uses a series of metaphors and images to convey his message to Celia, and the poem is a masterful example of the use of language to create meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing Celia directly, saying "Know, Celia, since thou art so proud, / 'Twas I that gave thee thy renown." The speaker is reminding Celia that her reputation and fame are not entirely her own doing, but are the result of the speaker's admiration and praise. The use of the word "proud" is significant, as it sets up the theme of the poem, which is the danger of excessive pride.
The speaker goes on to describe how he has praised Celia's beauty and charm to others, saying "Thou hadst, in the forgotten years, / More than thy sex's piety, / And wisdom that disdained to show / Itself, and was not understood." The speaker is suggesting that Celia has qualities that are not immediately apparent, and that her beauty and charm are only part of her appeal. However, the speaker also implies that Celia's pride has prevented her from fully realizing her potential.
The speaker then uses a series of metaphors to describe Celia's pride and its consequences. He compares her to a "flower" that is "too proud to be admired," and to a "star" that "disdains to be admired." These metaphors suggest that Celia's pride is preventing her from being fully appreciated and admired by others. The speaker also compares Celia to a "mistress of a king," suggesting that her pride has made her arrogant and haughty.
The speaker then goes on to describe the consequences of Celia's pride, saying "But, Celia, pride, pride, alas! / Hath hurt thee more than thou canst guess." The repetition of the word "pride" emphasizes its importance in the poem, and the use of the word "alas" suggests that the consequences of pride are tragic. The speaker goes on to describe how Celia's pride has caused her to lose the love of others, saying "Thou hast thyself thyself bereft, / And me of thee, which I bestow'd." The use of the word "bereft" suggests that Celia's pride has caused her to lose something valuable, and the speaker's use of the word "bestow'd" suggests that his admiration and love for Celia were gifts that she has rejected.
The speaker then uses another metaphor to describe the consequences of Celia's pride, saying "For, foolish girl, thou didst not know / That love would die when riches flow." This metaphor suggests that Celia's pride has caused her to value material possessions over love and affection, and that this has led to her losing the love of others. The use of the word "foolish" suggests that the speaker believes that Celia's pride has caused her to make a foolish mistake.
The poem ends with the speaker offering Celia some advice, saying "But, Celia, let us leave the toy, / And try to talk of love with joy." The use of the word "toy" suggests that the speaker believes that Celia's pride is a trivial matter, and that she should focus on more important things, such as love and affection. The use of the word "joy" suggests that the speaker believes that love should be a source of happiness and pleasure, rather than a source of pride and arrogance.
In conclusion, Thomas Carew's poem "Know, Celia, Since Thou Art So Proud" is a masterful example of the use of language to create meaning. The poem is a witty and ironic commentary on the theme of pride and its consequences, and the speaker uses a series of metaphors and images to convey his message to Celia. The poem is a classic example of the metaphysical poetry of the seventeenth century, and it continues to be admired and studied by scholars and readers today.
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