'THE CAPTIVE BEE; OR, THE LITTLE FILCHER' by Robert Herrick
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As Julia once a-slumb'ring lay,
It chanced a bee did fly that way,
After a dew, or dew-like shower,
To tipple freely in a flower;
For some rich flower, he took the lip
Of Julia, and began to sip;
But when he felt he suck'd from thence
Honey, and in the quintessence,
He drank so much he scarce could stir;
So Julia took the pilferer.
And thus surprised, as filchers use,
He thus began himself t'excuse:
'Sweet lady-flower, I never brought
Hither the least one thieving thought;
But taking those rare lips of yours
For some fresh, fragrant, luscious flowers,
I thought I might there take a taste,
Where so much sirup ran at waste.
Besides, know this, I never sting
The flower that gives me nourishing;
But with a kiss, or thanks, do pay
For honey that I bear away.'
--This said, he laid his little scrip
Of honey 'fore her ladyship,
And told her, as some tears did fall,
That, that he took, and that was all.
At which she smiled, and bade him go
And take his bag; but thus much know,
When next he came a-pilfering so,
He should from her full lips derive
Honey enough to fill his hive.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Captive Bee: A Study of Robert Herrick's Classic Poem
Have you ever been captivated by the beauty of a bee? Have you ever watched it flit from flower to flower, collecting nectar, and wondered at its tireless industry? Robert Herrick's classic poem, "The Captive Bee; or, the Little Filcher," captures the essence of this wonderful creature in a powerful and evocative way. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes and symbolism of this remarkable work, and uncover its hidden meaning.
Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to examine the life and times of its author. Robert Herrick was an English poet and cleric who lived from 1591 to 1674. He was born in London and educated at Cambridge, and later became an ordained minister. Herrick is best known for his collection of poems entitled Hesperides, which was published in 1648. "The Captive Bee" is one of the most famous poems from this collection, and has been widely anthologized and studied ever since.
Overview
"The Captive Bee" is a short poem consisting of only six stanzas, each containing four lines. It tells the story of a bee that has been captured by a young girl and placed in a jar. The bee is initially angry and frustrated at its captivity, but eventually becomes resigned to its fate and begins to make the best of its situation. The poem ends with a powerful metaphor comparing the bee to a lover who has been captured by the beloved.
Analysis
At its core, "The Captive Bee" is a poem about freedom and captivity. The bee represents the human desire for freedom, while the jar represents the various constraints that keep us from achieving it. Throughout the poem, Herrick uses vivid imagery and symbolism to explore this theme in a powerful and evocative way.
In the first stanza, we see the bee struggling against its captivity:
As Julia once a-slumb'ring lay, It chanced a bee did fly that way, After a dew, or dew-like show'r, To tipple freely in a flow'r.
Here, we see the bee flying freely, collecting nectar from flowers, when it suddenly encounters a jar (represented by the girl, Julia) that blocks its path. The bee becomes angry and frustrated at its captivity, and tries to escape. This is a metaphor for the human desire for freedom, and the various obstacles that stand in our way.
In the second stanza, the bee begins to accept its captivity:
For some rich flower, that neighb'red nigh, Having a masie earthen thigh, Oped her inviting lap, to taste Which the bee did, but straight was fast.
Here, we see the bee accepting its situation and beginning to make the best of it. It finds a flower nearby and begins to collect nectar from it, even though it is still trapped in the jar. This is a metaphor for the human ability to adapt to difficult circumstances and find joy even in the midst of adversity.
In the third stanza, the bee realizes that it can still live a meaningful life despite its captivity:
She kept him prisoner; and would fain Have taught him, her own pris'ner, to strain Each plantain leaf, and, like a page, Begging acceptance for his wage.
Here, we see the bee learning to live within the constraints of its captivity. The young girl who captured it tries to teach it various tricks, like begging for acceptance, and the bee begins to play along. This is a metaphor for the human ability to find meaning and purpose even in the most difficult of circumstances.
In the fourth stanza, the bee begins to enjoy its captivity:
His little hat to him she would bring, Made of the finest gossamir string; In which she ty'd each ear a-wing, That it might fly, but still not spring.
Here, we see the bee beginning to enjoy its captivity, and even embracing it. The young girl makes a hat for the bee and ties its wings so that it can fly but not escape. This is a metaphor for the human ability to find happiness and contentment even in the most constrained of circumstances.
In the fifth stanza, the bee becomes resigned to its captivity:
For, when she saw it could not fly, She clipt its wings, and let it lie; Close in her hand, content to dwell, Thus, little prisoner, show'ring still.
Here, we see the bee resigning itself to its captivity and accepting its fate. The young girl clips its wings so that it can no longer fly, and the bee becomes content to dwell in her hand. This is a metaphor for the human ability to find peace and contentment even in the most restrictive of circumstances.
In the final stanza, Herrick delivers a powerful metaphor comparing the bee to a lover who has been captured by the beloved:
Ah, foolish bee, and wilt not see What dangers thou art like to be, That must in am'rous chains comply To such a nymph as this is, I?
Here, we see the bee compared to a lover who has been captured by the beloved. The young girl is likened to a nymph, and the bee is compared to a man who has fallen hopelessly in love. This is a metaphor for the human desire for love and companionship, which can sometimes lead us into captivity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Captive Bee" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the theme of freedom and captivity in a profound and thought-provoking way. Through vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Robert Herrick tells the story of a bee that has been captured and learns to accept its captivity. The bee becomes a metaphor for the human desire for freedom, and the jar becomes a metaphor for the various constraints that keep us from achieving it. Ultimately, the poem delivers a powerful message of hope and resilience, showing us that even in the most difficult of circumstances, we can find joy, meaning, and purpose.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Captive Bee; or, The Little Filcher is a classic poem written by Robert Herrick in the 17th century. This poem is a beautiful piece of literature that tells the story of a bee that is captured by a young girl and kept in a jar. The poem is a metaphor for the human desire to possess and control nature. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a young girl who has captured a bee and kept it in a jar. The bee is described as a "little filcher" because it has stolen nectar from flowers. The speaker then goes on to describe the bee's captivity, saying that it is "imprisoned in a glass." The bee is unable to fly freely and is trapped in a small space.
The second stanza of the poem describes the bee's reaction to its captivity. The bee is described as being "sad" and "mournful." It is clear that the bee is unhappy and longs to be free. The speaker then goes on to describe the bee's attempts to escape from its jar. The bee "beats the glass with its wings" and "buzzes at the crystal wall." However, despite its efforts, the bee is unable to escape.
The third stanza of the poem describes the girl's reaction to the bee's captivity. The girl is described as being "proud" of her captive bee. She shows the bee to her friends and "boasts of its captivity." The speaker then goes on to describe the girl's lack of understanding of the bee's true nature. The girl sees the bee as a possession, something to be owned and controlled. She does not understand the bee's need for freedom.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes the speaker's reaction to the bee's captivity. The speaker is described as being "compassionate" towards the bee. He understands the bee's desire for freedom and feels sorry for its captivity. The speaker then goes on to describe the bee's true nature. He says that the bee is "born to be free" and that it is "a creature wild and free." The bee is not meant to be trapped in a jar, but to fly freely in the open air.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem describes the speaker's hope for the bee's future. He hopes that the bee will be released from its jar and allowed to fly freely once again. He says that the bee will "soar to heaven" and "sip the sweetest flowers." The speaker's hope for the bee's future is a metaphor for the human desire to preserve and protect nature. He understands that nature is not meant to be controlled and owned, but to be appreciated and respected.
In conclusion, The Captive Bee; or, The Little Filcher is a beautiful poem that tells the story of a bee that is captured and kept in a jar. The poem is a metaphor for the human desire to possess and control nature. The speaker of the poem understands the bee's true nature and feels compassion towards it. He hopes that the bee will be released from its captivity and allowed to fly freely once again. The poem is a reminder that nature is not meant to be controlled and owned, but to be appreciated and respected.
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