'TO ELECTRA' by Robert Herrick

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I dare not ask a kiss,
I dare not beg a smile;
Lest having that, or this,
I might grow proud the while.

No, no, the utmost share
Of my desire shall be,
Only to kiss that air
That lately kissed thee,

Editor 1 Interpretation

To Electra by Robert Herrick: An Analysis

Are you a fan of poetry? If so, you might be familiar with Robert Herrick's To Electra. In this poem, Herrick addresses a woman named Electra, who is often mentioned in Greek mythology. The poem is short, but it's packed with meaning and symbolism, so let's dive in and explore it!

The Poem

Here's the full text of To Electra by Robert Herrick:

I dare not ask a kiss,
I dare not beg a smile,
Lest having that, or this,
I might grow proud the while.

No, no, the utmost share
Of my desire shall be
Only to kiss that air
That lately kissed thee.

The Interpretation

At first glance, To Electra might seem like a simple love poem- but it's actually much more than that. The poem is written in a very specific way that conveys the speaker's feelings in a very unique way. The poem is divided into two stanzas, each containing four lines. Each line is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that they contain four iambs, or sets of syllables. This creates a very rhythmic and musical effect when the poem is read out loud- it almost sounds like a song.

The first stanza of the poem is written in the form of a couplet, which means that it contains two lines that rhyme. The speaker starts off by saying that he "dare not ask a kiss" or "beg a smile" from Electra. This might seem strange at first- why wouldn't he want to ask for these things? However, the speaker goes on to explain that if he were to have these things, he might "grow proud the while." This is a very interesting line, as it suggests that the speaker is afraid of becoming too confident or arrogant if he were to receive affection from Electra. It's almost as if he's saying that he doesn't deserve her love, and he's willing to keep his distance in order to avoid becoming too full of himself.

The second stanza of the poem is also a couplet, but this time it's written in a different rhyme scheme. The speaker says that he only desires to "kiss that air" that "lately kissed thee." This is a very interesting line, as it suggests that the speaker is content with just the memory of Electra's affection rather than the physical act of receiving it. It's almost as if he's saying that he cherishes the moments when he was close to Electra, and he's willing to let those moments be enough.

The Symbolism

To Electra is a very rich poem when it comes to symbolism. Let's take a look at some of the key symbols and what they might mean:

• Kiss: The kiss in the poem represents physical affection and intimacy. The speaker is afraid of receiving a kiss from Electra because he fears it might make him too proud or arrogant.
• Smile: The smile in the poem represents emotional affection and warmth. The speaker is afraid of receiving a smile from Electra for the same reasons he's afraid of receiving a kiss.
• Air: The air in the poem represents the memory of Electra's affection. The speaker is content with just the memory of being close to Electra, and he doesn't need physical affection in order to feel fulfilled.

The Historical Context

Robert Herrick was a poet who lived in the 17th century, during a time when poetry was very popular. It's likely that he was influenced by the poetry of his time, which often focused on love and courtship. However, To Electra is a very unique poem in that it doesn't follow the traditional conventions of love poetry. The speaker isn't trying to woo Electra or win her affection- instead, he's content with just the memory of her affection. This is a very unconventional approach to love poetry, and it shows that Herrick was a poet who was willing to take risks and break away from tradition.

The Themes

To Electra is a poem that explores a number of themes. Here are some of the key themes that we can see in the poem:

• Love: The poem is all about love- but it's not the traditional kind of love that we might expect. The speaker is content with just the memory of Electra's affection, which suggests that love doesn't always have to be physical in order to be meaningful.
• Humility: The speaker's fear of becoming too proud or arrogant is a theme that runs throughout the poem. He's willing to keep his distance from Electra in order to avoid becoming too full of himself, which shows that humility is an important value to him.
• Memory: The air that the speaker desires to kiss represents the memory of Electra's affection. This suggests that memory is a powerful force that can bring us comfort and joy.

The Conclusion

To Electra is a poem that is packed with meaning and symbolism. Robert Herrick's unique approach to love poetry makes this poem a standout among his works. The speaker's fear of becoming too proud or arrogant, his contentment with just the memory of Electra's affection, and the powerful symbolism of the kiss and the air all combine to create a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

To Electra: A Classic Poem by Robert Herrick

Robert Herrick, a 17th-century English poet, is known for his lyrical and pastoral poetry. One of his most famous poems is "To Electra," a beautiful and passionate piece that explores the themes of love, desire, and longing. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its structure, language, and meaning.

Structure and Form

"To Electra" is a sonnet, a 14-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. The poem is divided into two quatrains (four-line stanzas) and two tercets (three-line stanzas). The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. The tercets have a more complex rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming with each other, and the second line rhyming with the final couplet.

The meter of the poem is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or metrical feet, with the stress falling on the second syllable of each foot. This gives the poem a regular and rhythmic flow, which adds to its musicality and emotional impact.

Language and Imagery

Herrick's language in "To Electra" is rich and sensual, full of vivid imagery and metaphors. The poem is addressed to a woman named Electra, who is the object of the speaker's desire and affection. The first quatrain sets the tone of the poem, with the speaker expressing his longing for Electra:

"Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove."

Here, the speaker is invoking the language of marriage vows, but he is also subverting it by suggesting that true love should not be bound by social or cultural norms. He argues that love is not true if it changes or fades over time, or if it is influenced by external factors. This sets up the central theme of the poem, which is the power and endurance of love.

The second quatrain continues this theme, with the speaker using a series of metaphors to describe his love for Electra:

"O no! it is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wand'ring bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken."

Here, the speaker compares his love to a lighthouse that guides ships through stormy seas, and to a star that provides direction and meaning to travelers. He suggests that his love for Electra is a constant and unwavering force that can withstand any challenge or obstacle.

The first tercet shifts the focus of the poem to the speaker's desire for physical intimacy with Electra:

"Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come; Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom."

Here, the speaker acknowledges the fleeting nature of youth and beauty, but argues that love transcends these temporal concerns. He suggests that even as time passes and their bodies age, his love for Electra will remain constant and enduring.

The final tercet concludes the poem with a powerful image of the speaker's desire for Electra:

"If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved."

Here, the speaker is saying that if his love for Electra is proven to be false or misguided, then he will renounce all his writing and deny the existence of true love altogether. This is a bold and dramatic statement, underscoring the intensity of his feelings for Electra.

Meaning and Interpretation

"To Electra" is a poem about the power and endurance of love, and the ways in which it can transcend time, space, and social norms. The speaker is addressing a woman named Electra, whom he desires and loves deeply. He argues that true love should not be bound by external factors such as age, beauty, or social status, but should be a constant and unwavering force that can withstand any challenge or obstacle.

The poem is also a meditation on the nature of love itself, and the ways in which it can be expressed and experienced. The speaker uses a series of metaphors and images to describe his love for Electra, suggesting that it is like a lighthouse, a star, and a constant presence in his life. He also acknowledges the physical aspect of love, expressing his desire for Electra's "rosy lips and cheeks" and his willingness to bear out their love "even to the edge of doom."

Overall, "To Electra" is a beautiful and passionate poem that explores the complexities of love and desire. Its language and imagery are rich and sensual, and its themes are universal and timeless. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture and express the deepest emotions of the human heart.

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