'HIS DESIRE' by Robert Herrick
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Give me a man that is not dull,
When all the world with rifts is full;
But unamazed dares clearly sing,
Whenas the roof's a-tottering;
And though it falls, continues still
Tickling the Cittern with his quill.
Editor 1 Interpretation
HIS DESIRE: A Study of Robert Herrick's Poetic Artistry
Introduction
Robert Herrick was a 17th-century English poet who is best known for his lyrical poetry. One of his most famous poems is "His Desire," which is a short but powerful poem that captures the essence of human desire. In this poem, Herrick uses various literary devices to convey his message, including imagery, symbolism, and metaphors. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze "His Desire" in detail to understand its true meaning and significance.
Analysis of the Poem
Line by Line
Let's begin by analyzing the poem line by line to understand the nuanced meanings of each word and phrase used by Herrick.
Like to the damask rose you see,
The poem opens with a simile comparing the subject of the poem to a damask rose. The use of a simile sets the tone for the poem and foreshadows the use of other literary devices throughout the poem.
Or like some blossom on a tree,
Here, the poet compares the subject to a blossom on a tree. This comparison is significant as it emphasizes the ephemeral nature of beauty and desire, which is a recurring theme in Herrick's poetry.
Or like some bright floweret in the mead,
In this line, Herrick compares the subject to a bright flower in a meadow. This comparison is significant as it highlights the beauty and fragility of the subject's desire.
Or like some sparkles of crystalline bead,
Here, the poet uses a metaphor to compare the subject's desire to sparkles of a crystalline bead. This metaphor is significant as it emphasizes the purity and clarity of the subject's desire.
Or like to bubbles which a stream doth breed,
In this line, Herrick compares the subject's desire to bubbles in a stream. This comparison is significant as it emphasizes the fleeting and transient nature of desire.
Or like the poise of a descending star,
The poet uses a simile to compare the subject's desire to the poise of a descending star. This simile is significant as it emphasizes the beauty and majesty of the subject's desire.
Or like a wave of a diamond,
In this line, Herrick uses a metaphor to compare the subject's desire to a wave of a diamond. This metaphor is significant as it emphasizes the purity and clarity of the subject's desire.
In her bosom, dare I see
The poem closes with an enjambment that emphasizes the speaker's desire to see the subject's bosom. This final line is significant as it highlights the sensual and sexual nature of the speaker's desire.
Imagery and Symbolism
Throughout the poem, Herrick uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey his message. The imagery of a damask rose, a blossom on a tree, and a bright flower in a meadow emphasizes the beauty and fragility of the subject's desire. The use of sparkles of a crystalline bead and a wave of a diamond emphasizes the purity and clarity of the subject's desire. The comparison of the subject's desire to bubbles in a stream and the poise of a descending star emphasizes the fleeting and transient nature of desire.
The symbolism used in the poem is also significant. The damask rose symbolizes love, beauty, and perfection. The blossom on a tree symbolizes birth, growth, and vitality. The bright flower in a meadow symbolizes innocence and purity. The sparkles of a crystalline bead symbolize clarity and transparency. The wave of a diamond symbolizes purity, strength, and resilience.
Structure and Form
The structure and form of the poem are also significant. The poem is composed of eight lines, each containing a simile or metaphor that compares the subject's desire to something else. The use of multiple literary devices in each line gives the poem a rich and complex texture. The use of enjambment in the final line emphasizes the speaker's desire and creates a sense of tension and anticipation.
Tone and Mood
The tone and mood of the poem are sensual, romantic, and melancholic. The use of imagery and symbolism creates a mood of beauty and fragility. The use of enjambment in the final line creates a sense of tension and anticipation. The sensual and sexual nature of the speaker's desire creates a mood of romance and longing.
Interpretation of the Poem
"His Desire" is a poem that captures the essence of human desire. The use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and literary devices conveys a sense of beauty, fragility, and transience. The poem is an exploration of the human experience of desire, which is both beautiful and fleeting.
The subject of the poem is a beautiful and desirable woman who is compared to various natural objects to emphasize her beauty and fragility. The speaker's desire for her is sensual and sexual, which is evident in the final line of the poem.
The poem can be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of desire and its relationship to beauty and transience. The beauty of the subject is emphasized through the use of vivid imagery and symbolism, and her fragility is emphasized through the comparison to natural objects that are fleeting and ephemeral. The speaker's desire for her is sensual and sexual, but it is also transient and fleeting, like the bubbles in a stream or the poise of a descending star.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the human experience of desire and its relationship to mortality. The fragility and transience of the subject's beauty and the speaker's desire for her are reminders of the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.
Conclusion
"His Desire" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of human desire. Through the use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and literary devices, Herrick creates a rich and complex texture that conveys a sense of beauty, fragility, and transience. The poem is an exploration of the human experience of desire and its relationship to beauty and mortality. Its sensual and romantic tone creates a mood of longing and melancholy that resonates with readers even after centuries since Herrick penned this classic.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
HIS DESIRE: A Poem of Love and Longing
Robert Herrick, the 17th-century English poet, is known for his lyrical and sensual poetry that celebrates the joys of life and love. His poem "His Desire" is a prime example of his romantic and passionate style, as it expresses the speaker's intense longing for his beloved.
The poem consists of three stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. However, the simplicity of the form belies the complexity of the emotions expressed in the poem. Let's take a closer look at each stanza and explore the themes and techniques used by Herrick to convey the speaker's desire.
Stanza 1:
"Give me a heart where no impure
Disorder'd mixture does procure,
Where reigns simplicity and love,
And single thoughts do move."
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem and establishes the speaker's desire for purity and simplicity in his heart. He longs for a heart that is free from impurities and distractions, where love reigns supreme and single thoughts guide his actions. The use of the word "mixture" suggests that the speaker is aware of the complexities and contradictions of human nature, and he seeks to transcend them in his quest for love.
The repetition of the word "where" emphasizes the speaker's desire for a specific state of being, and the use of the word "reigns" suggests that love is a powerful force that can govern and guide his heart. The use of the word "simplicity" also suggests that the speaker values honesty and straightforwardness in his relationships, and he seeks a partner who shares these qualities.
Stanza 2:
"Give me a face where beauty lies
In honesty, and constancy,
And one that's wise enough to prize
No empty, fleeting vanity."
The second stanza continues the theme of purity and honesty, but shifts the focus to the physical appearance of the beloved. The speaker desires a face that reflects the inner qualities of honesty, constancy, and wisdom. He values these qualities more than mere physical beauty or vanity, which he sees as empty and fleeting.
The use of the word "lies" suggests that beauty is not just a surface-level quality, but something that is rooted in the truth and authenticity of the person. The use of the word "prize" suggests that the speaker values these qualities in himself as well, and he seeks a partner who shares his values and priorities.
Stanza 3:
"Give me a soul that still is free,
From tying love to jealousy,
And when it meets a rival, then
It wounds not, but laughs at men."
The final stanza takes a more philosophical turn, as the speaker expresses his desire for a soul that is free from the negative emotions of jealousy and rivalry. He seeks a partner who is secure in their love and does not feel threatened by others. The use of the word "laugh" suggests that the speaker sees these emotions as petty and insignificant, and he values a partner who can rise above them.
The use of the word "wounds" suggests that the speaker is aware of the potential for conflict and hurt in relationships, but he seeks a partner who can navigate these challenges with grace and humor. The use of the word "men" suggests that the speaker sees these emotions as a human weakness, and he seeks a partner who can transcend them and embody a higher ideal of love.
Overall, "His Desire" is a poem that expresses the speaker's intense longing for a pure and honest love, free from the complexities and contradictions of human nature. The poem is notable for its use of repetition, which emphasizes the speaker's desire for a specific state of being, and its use of simple language, which underscores the sincerity and authenticity of the emotions expressed.
The poem also reflects the cultural and social values of its time, which placed a high value on purity, simplicity, and honesty in relationships. However, the poem's themes and techniques are timeless and universal, and they continue to resonate with readers today.
In conclusion, "His Desire" is a beautiful and heartfelt poem that celebrates the power and beauty of love. It is a testament to the enduring human desire for connection and intimacy, and it reminds us of the importance of honesty, simplicity, and authenticity in our relationships.
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