'ART ABOVE NATURE:TO JULIA' by Robert Herrick
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When I behold a forest spread
With silken trees upon thy head;
And when I see that other dress
Of flowers set in comeliness;
When I behold another grace
In the ascent of curious lace,
Which, like a pinnacle, doth shew
The top, and the top-gallant too;
Then, when I see thy tresses bound
Into an oval, square, or round,
And knit in knots far more than I.
Can tell by tongue, or True-love tie;
Next, when those lawny films I see
Play with a wild civility;
And all those airy silks to flow,
Alluring me, and tempting so--
I must confess, mine eye and heart
Dotes less on nature than on art.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Art Above Nature: To Julia by Robert Herrick
Are you a fan of poetry that celebrates love and beauty? If so, Robert Herrick's "Art Above Nature: To Julia" is a must-read for you. This classic poem, written in the 17th century, is a beautiful ode to the beauty of women and the art that celebrates it. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various literary devices that Herrick uses to convey his message about the power of art.
Background Information
Before we dive into the poem, let's take a quick look at the life of Robert Herrick. He was a 17th-century English poet who is best known for his love poems and lyrics. Herrick wrote a collection of poems called Hesperides, which included the poem "Art Above Nature: To Julia." The collection was published in 1648, and it included over 1,100 poems.
Herrick was born in London in 1591 and spent most of his life in the countryside. He was ordained as a priest in 1623 and served as a parish priest in Devonshire. Herrick's poetry was influenced by the classical poets of ancient Rome and Greece, as well as the English poets of his time.
Poem Analysis
Structure
"Art Above Nature: To Julia" is a lyrical poem that consists of three stanzas. Each stanza has four lines, and the rhyme scheme is ABAB. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, which allows the reader to focus on the message that Herrick is conveying.
Theme
The central theme of the poem is the power of art to capture and celebrate the beauty of women. Herrick argues that art can surpass nature in its ability to capture the essence of a woman's beauty. He praises the skills of the artist who can create a portrait that is more beautiful than the woman herself.
Literary Devices
Herrick uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message about the power of art. Let's take a closer look at some of these devices.
Metaphor
Herrick uses metaphor to compare the beauty of a woman to a flower. He writes:
When I behold a flower,
Methinks I see my sweetheart's power.
Here, Herrick is comparing the beauty of a flower to the power of a woman. He is suggesting that the beauty of a woman is as captivating as the beauty of a flower.
Personification
Herrick also uses personification to give human qualities to non-human objects. He writes:
So when I view the painter's art,
Methinks I see thee acting part.
Here, Herrick is suggesting that the painting has a life of its own. He is personifying the painting and suggesting that it is acting out the beauty of the woman.
Alliteration
Herrick uses alliteration to create a pleasing sound and rhythm in his poem. He writes:
Yet though art's voice be thus divine,
My Julia's voice more sweet than mine.
Here, Herrick is using the repetition of the "d" sound to create a smooth and flowing sound in the first line. He is also using the repetition of the "m" sound in the second line to create a sense of harmony and balance.
Imagery
Herrick uses vivid imagery to convey the beauty of the woman and the art that celebrates her. He writes:
Skillful painting, which presents
The beauty of all elements.
Here, Herrick is using imagery to describe the art that captures the beauty of the woman. He is suggesting that the art is so skillful that it can capture the beauty of all elements.
Tone
The tone of the poem is celebratory and joyful. Herrick is celebrating the beauty of women and the power of art to capture that beauty. He is also praising the skills of the artist who can create a portrait that is more beautiful than the woman herself. The tone is light and playful, which adds to the poem's overall charm.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Herrick's "Art Above Nature: To Julia" is a beautiful poem that celebrates the beauty of women and the art that captures that beauty. Herrick uses a variety of literary devices, including metaphor, personification, alliteration, and imagery, to convey his message about the power of art. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, which allows the reader to focus on the message that Herrick is conveying. The tone of the poem is celebratory and joyful, which adds to the poem's overall charm. If you are a fan of poetry that celebrates love and beauty, this classic poem is a must-read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Art Above Nature: To Julia by Robert Herrick is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This poem is a beautiful tribute to the power of art and its ability to transcend nature. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.
The poem is addressed to Julia, who is likely a fictional character created by Herrick. The speaker of the poem is praising Julia's beauty and comparing it to the beauty of nature. However, the speaker argues that art is even more beautiful than nature because it is eternal and can be appreciated by future generations.
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem by describing Julia's beauty. The second stanza introduces the idea that art is more beautiful than nature. The third stanza expands on this idea by describing the fleeting nature of nature's beauty. The final stanza concludes the poem by emphasizing the eternal nature of art.
The language of the poem is rich and evocative. Herrick uses vivid imagery to describe Julia's beauty, comparing her to the sun, the moon, and the stars. He also uses metaphors to describe the power of art, comparing it to a "second life" and a "second youth." The language of the poem is both romantic and philosophical, exploring the nature of beauty and the role of art in human life.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea that art is superior to nature. This is a controversial idea, as many people believe that nature is the ultimate source of beauty. However, Herrick argues that art is even more beautiful than nature because it is eternal. While nature's beauty is fleeting and will eventually fade away, art can be preserved and appreciated by future generations. This idea is expressed in the second stanza of the poem:
"Art above Nature is the motto of our skill; Your beauty is our art, nor need we prove our skill."
Here, the speaker is saying that the motto of artists is "art above nature." This means that artists believe that their creations are more beautiful than anything that nature can produce. The speaker then goes on to say that Julia's beauty is the artist's inspiration, and that they do not need to prove their skill because her beauty is already a work of art.
Another theme of the poem is the fleeting nature of beauty. The speaker argues that nature's beauty is temporary and will eventually fade away. This is expressed in the third stanza of the poem:
"The sun, which erst did shine alone, Hung down his head and wished for night, When he beheld your brighter eyes In danger to outshine his light."
Here, the speaker is saying that even the sun, which is one of the most beautiful things in nature, pales in comparison to Julia's beauty. The sun "hung down his head and wished for night" because he was afraid that Julia's beauty would outshine his own. This is a powerful metaphor that emphasizes the fleeting nature of beauty. The sun, which is usually seen as eternal and unchanging, is shown to be vulnerable and temporary in the face of Julia's beauty.
The language of the poem is also notable for its use of metaphors. Herrick uses metaphors to describe the power of art and its ability to transcend nature. For example, in the second stanza, he describes art as a "second life" and a "second youth." This metaphor suggests that art has the power to give new life to things that are old and worn out. Similarly, in the final stanza, he describes art as a "second world" that is "more lasting than this." This metaphor suggests that art has the power to create a new reality that is more enduring than the physical world.
In conclusion, Art Above Nature: To Julia is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of beauty, art, and the nature of human existence. The poem is notable for its rich language, vivid imagery, and use of metaphors. Herrick argues that art is superior to nature because it is eternal and can be appreciated by future generations. He also emphasizes the fleeting nature of beauty and the power of art to transcend the physical world. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of art and its ability to inspire and uplift the human spirit.
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