'UPON THE DETRACTER' by Robert Herrick
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I ask'd thee oft what poets thou hast read,
And lik'st the best?Still thou repli'st, The dead.
--I shall, ere long, with green turfs cover'd be;
Then sure thou'lt like, or thou wilt envy, me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Upon the Detractor: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you in the mood for some lyrical poetry that will transport you to a different era? Look no further than Robert Herrick's "Upon the Detractor," a short but sweet poem that takes the reader on a journey through the human psyche. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices used in this classic piece of poetry.
Background
Robert Herrick was a 17th-century English lyric poet who is best known for his book of poetry, "Hesperides." He was born in London in 1591 and spent most of his life as a parish priest in Devonshire. His poetry is known for its simplicity, wit, and charm, and "Upon the Detractor" is no exception.
Theme
At its core, "Upon the Detractor" is a poem about jealousy and the destructive power of envy. The speaker of the poem is addressing someone who is spreading rumors and talking behind their back. The speaker is not angry, but rather sad and disappointed that someone they trusted would betray them in such a way.
The poem captures the essence of the human experience in a way that is both timeless and universal. We have all felt the sting of jealousy and the pain of betrayal at some point in our lives. By exploring these themes, Herrick creates a poem that speaks to readers across generations and cultures.
Imagery
One of the most striking features of "Upon the Detractor" is its use of vivid imagery. From the opening lines, Herrick paints a picture of the speaker's idyllic surroundings:
Thou whose sweet youth and early hopes enhance
Thy rate and price, and mark thee for a treasure;
Hearken unto a Verser, who may chance
Rhyme thee to good, and make a bait of pleasure:
The use of words like "sweet youth," "early hopes," and "treasure" evoke a sense of innocence and purity. The speaker is highlighting the detractor's positive qualities and suggesting that they should be cherished rather than disparaged.
Later in the poem, Herrick uses imagery to describe the effects of jealousy:
Envy, if thy hubandry be griefe,
Discharge the soil, take heed how thou dost crop;
Hope here a drought, but not a whole mischief,
Woe long digested like a mummy, props.
The use of agricultural metaphors, such as "hubandry" and "crop," create a sense of cultivation and growth. However, the image of "woe long digested like a mummy" suggests that jealousy can be poisonous and ultimately lead to decay.
Literary Devices
Herrick employs a variety of literary devices in "Upon the Detractor" to create a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. One such device is alliteration, or the repetition of consonant sounds. Consider the following lines:
Be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow,
Thou shalt not escape calumny.
The repetition of the "s" sound in "chaste as ice" and "as pure as snow" creates a musical quality that accentuates the beauty of the language. At the same time, the juxtaposition of purity and calumny highlights the destructive power of jealousy.
Another literary device that Herrick uses is personification, or the attribution of human characteristics to non-human entities. This can be seen in the following lines:
These are, believe me, locks that did become
That head that weares them now; where thou mayst see
Fresh cyprus, hearbes, and flowers as smooth as downe,
Tutcht with the dew of heaven, as pure and be.
The personification of the hair as having "fresh cyprus, hearbes, and flowers" and being "tucht with the dew of heaven" creates a sense of beauty and serenity that is in stark contrast to the ugliness of jealousy.
Interpretation
At its core, "Upon the Detractor" is a poem about the power of words. The speaker is addressing someone who is spreading rumors and talking behind their back, and he suggests that their words are like "locks" that adorn the head of the detractor. While these locks may have been beautiful at one time, they have become tarnished by the malicious words of the detractor.
The poem suggests that words have the power to create or destroy, and that we should be careful how we use them. The imagery of cultivation and growth suggests that words can be used to nurture and bring forth beauty, but the imagery of decay suggests that they can also bring about destruction and decay.
In conclusion, "Upon the Detractor" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of jealousy and betrayal. Through its use of vivid imagery and literary devices, Herrick creates a poem that speaks to readers across generations and cultures. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply looking for a glimpse into the human psyche, "Upon the Detractor" is a must-read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Upon the Detracter: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry by Robert Herrick
Robert Herrick, the renowned English poet of the 17th century, is known for his witty and satirical verses that often take a dig at the societal norms and conventions of his time. One of his most celebrated works is the poem "Upon the Detracter," which is a scathing critique of the people who indulge in gossip and slander. In this article, we will delve deep into the poem and analyze its various aspects to understand its significance in the literary canon.
The poem "Upon the Detracter" is a short but powerful piece of poetry that consists of only six lines. However, within these six lines, Herrick manages to convey a strong message that is relevant even today. The poem begins with the line "A stone is a jewel to a swine," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The metaphorical comparison of a stone to a jewel and a swine to a detractor is a clever way of highlighting the difference between the value of something to different people.
The second line of the poem, "A cock's a gem to a cuckold," is another metaphorical comparison that reinforces the idea of how the same thing can have different values to different people. A cock, which is a male chicken, is considered a gem to a cuckold, which is a man whose wife is unfaithful to him. This comparison is a subtle way of mocking the cuckold's foolishness and his misplaced priorities.
The third line of the poem, "Beauty, an itch to a libertine," is a direct attack on the people who indulge in hedonistic pleasures and do not appreciate the true value of beauty. A libertine is a person who lives a life of debauchery and indulgence, and the fact that beauty is only an itch to such a person shows how shallow and superficial their worldview is.
The fourth line of the poem, "A callet, a saint to a usurer," is another metaphorical comparison that highlights the skewed priorities of certain people. A callet is a derogatory term for a prostitute, and a usurer is a person who lends money at exorbitant rates of interest. The fact that a callet can be considered a saint to a usurer shows how money can corrupt people's morals and values.
The fifth line of the poem, "An oyster, a feast to a poor man," is a refreshing change from the previous lines, as it shows how something as simple as an oyster can be a feast to a poor man. This line is a reminder that true happiness and contentment can be found in the simplest of things, and that material possessions do not necessarily bring joy.
The final line of the poem, "And to a usurer, what's a muse?" is a rhetorical question that drives home the central message of the poem. A usurer, who is obsessed with money and profit, would not appreciate the value of a muse, which is a source of inspiration for artists and poets. This line is a scathing critique of the capitalist mindset that values money over creativity and art.
Overall, "Upon the Detracter" is a masterpiece of satirical poetry that uses metaphorical comparisons to highlight the flaws and follies of human nature. The poem is a reminder that people's values and priorities can be distorted by their greed, lust, and other vices. The poem is also a testament to Herrick's skill as a poet, as he manages to convey a powerful message in just six lines.
In conclusion, "Upon the Detracter" is a timeless piece of poetry that is as relevant today as it was in the 17th century. The poem is a reminder that we should not let our values and priorities be distorted by our vices, and that true happiness and contentment can be found in the simplest of things. Herrick's use of metaphorical comparisons and his mastery of language make this poem a must-read for anyone who appreciates the art of poetry.
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