'THE CHEAT OF CUPID; OR, THE UNGENTLE GUEST' by Robert Herrick
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One silent night of late,
When every creature rested,
Came one unto my gate,
And knocking, me molested.
Who's that, said I, beats there,
And troubles thus the sleepy?
Cast off; said he, all fear,
And let not locks thus keep ye.
For I a boy am, who
By moonless nights have swerved;
And all with showers wet through,
And e'en with cold half starved.
I pitiful arose,
And soon a taper lighted;
And did myself disclose
Unto the lad benighted.
I saw he had a bow,
And wings too, which did shiver;
And looking down below,
I spied he had a quiver.
I to my chimney's shine
Brought him, as Love professes,
And chafed his hands with mine,
And dried his dropping tresses.
But when he felt him warm'd,
Let's try this bow of ours
And string, if they be harm'd,
Said he, with these late showers.
Forthwith his bow he bent,
And wedded string and arrow,
And struck me, that it went
Quite through my heart and marrow
Then laughing loud, he flew
Away, and thus said flying,
Adieu, mine host, adieu,
I'll leave thy heart a-dying.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Cheat of Cupid; or, The Ungentle Guest by Robert Herrick: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
As a poet, Robert Herrick is best known for his lyrical poems that celebrate the pleasures of life and the beauty of nature. However, his narrative poems are equally noteworthy for their wit, humor, and insight into human nature. "The Cheat of Cupid; or, The Ungentle Guest" is one such poem that showcases Herrick's storytelling skills, his command of language, and his ability to create memorable characters.
Background and Context
"The Cheat of Cupid; or, The Ungentle Guest" was first published in Herrick's collection of poems, Hesperides, in 1648. The poem tells the story of a young man named Robin who falls in love with a woman named Nanny. However, Nanny is already engaged to another man, and Robin decides to use deceit and trickery to win her heart. He dresses up as a maid and pretends to be a messenger from Nanny's fiancé, delivering a letter that declares the engagement over. Nanny falls for the ruse and agrees to run away with Robin. However, their plans are interrupted by the sudden arrival of Nanny's fiancé, who exposes Robin's deception and forces him to flee. The poem ends with a warning to those who use deceit in love, as they will ultimately be punished for their actions.
The poem is written in rhyming couplets and follows a clear narrative structure. It begins with a description of Robin's infatuation with Nanny and his decision to use deceit to win her over. This is followed by an account of Robin's disguise as a maid and his successful trickery of Nanny. The third section of the poem introduces Nanny's fiancé and his discovery of Robin's deception, which leads to a violent confrontation. The final section of the poem serves as a moral lesson, warning against the use of deceit in love.
Themes and Motifs
At its core, "The Cheat of Cupid; or, The Ungentle Guest" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of using deceit in love. The poem suggests that those who resort to trickery and manipulation will ultimately be punished for their actions. This theme is underscored by the use of the figure of Cupid, the god of love, who is depicted as a deceitful and ungentle guest. The poem suggests that love, like Cupid, can be unpredictable and even dangerous, and that those who try to control it will ultimately fail.
Another important theme in the poem is the nature of gender roles and identity. Robin's disguise as a maid highlights the fluidity of gender roles and the ways in which they can be manipulated. However, the poem also suggests that gender identity is ultimately tied to biological sex, as Robin's disguise is ultimately revealed and he is forced to flee in shame.
The poem also includes several motifs that are common in Herrick's poetry, including the use of nature imagery, the celebration of sensuality and pleasure, and the emphasis on the fleeting nature of life. These motifs serve to reinforce the central themes of the poem and to connect it to the broader themes of Herrick's work.
Interpretation
"The Cheat of Cupid; or, The Ungentle Guest" is a complex and multi-layered poem that rewards close analysis and interpretation. At its most basic level, the poem can be understood as a cautionary tale about the dangers of using deceit in love. However, the poem also raises deeper questions about the nature of love, gender roles, and human identity.
One of the key themes in the poem is the idea that love is unpredictable and uncontrollable. This is reflected in the figure of Cupid, who is depicted as a dangerous and unpredictable guest. The poem suggests that those who try to control or manipulate love will ultimately fail, as Robin does when his deceit is exposed. This theme is further reinforced by the use of nature imagery throughout the poem, which serves to underscore the idea that love, like nature, is wild and uncontrollable.
Another important theme in the poem is the fluidity of gender roles and identity. Robin's disguise as a maid highlights the ways in which gender identity can be manipulated and even subverted. However, the poem also suggests that gender identity is ultimately tied to biological sex, as Robin's disguise is ultimately revealed and he is forced to flee in shame. This tension between the fluidity and stability of gender roles reflects the broader cultural debates about gender and identity that were taking place in Herrick's time.
The poem also includes several motifs that are common in Herrick's poetry, including the celebration of sensuality and pleasure and the emphasis on the fleeting nature of life. These motifs serve to reinforce the central themes of the poem and to connect it to the broader themes of Herrick's work. In particular, the emphasis on the fleeting nature of life suggests that love, like life itself, is precious and should not be squandered or manipulated for selfish ends.
Overall, "The Cheat of Cupid; or, The Ungentle Guest" is a rich and rewarding poem that offers insights into the nature of love, gender roles, and human identity. Herrick's masterful use of language, imagery, and narrative structure make this poem a classic of English literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Cheat of Cupid; or, The Ungentle Guest is a classic poem written by Robert Herrick, a 17th-century English poet. This poem is a perfect example of Herrick's style of writing, which is characterized by its wit, humor, and playful tone. The poem is a narrative that tells the story of a woman who is visited by Cupid, the god of love, and how she is tricked into falling in love with him.
The poem begins with the introduction of the protagonist, a woman who is described as being "fair and young." She is alone in her room, and as she sits there, she hears a knock on her door. When she opens the door, she finds Cupid standing there, disguised as a beggar. The woman is initially hesitant to let him in, but Cupid convinces her to do so by telling her that he is a poor traveler who is in need of shelter for the night.
Once inside, Cupid begins to work his magic on the woman. He tells her stories, sings her songs, and flatters her with compliments. The woman is charmed by Cupid's words and begins to fall in love with him. However, Cupid is not interested in a long-term relationship with the woman. He is only interested in using her for his own pleasure.
As the night wears on, the woman becomes more and more enamored with Cupid. She offers him food and drink, and even offers to share her bed with him. Cupid accepts her offer, but as they lie together, he reveals his true identity to her. The woman is shocked and hurt by Cupid's deception, but he tells her that he is only doing what he was born to do – to make people fall in love.
The Cheat of Cupid; or, The Ungentle Guest is a poem that explores the theme of love and its many facets. Herrick uses the character of Cupid to show how love can be both beautiful and cruel. Cupid is portrayed as a charming and charismatic figure who is able to win over the hearts of those he encounters. However, he is also shown to be manipulative and selfish, using his powers to satisfy his own desires without regard for the feelings of others.
The poem also explores the idea of deception and how it can be used to manipulate others. Cupid's disguise as a beggar is a perfect example of this. By presenting himself as a poor traveler in need of shelter, Cupid is able to gain the woman's trust and convince her to let him into her home. Once inside, he uses his charm and wit to win her over and make her fall in love with him.
Herrick's use of language and imagery is also noteworthy in this poem. He uses vivid descriptions to bring the characters and setting to life. For example, when Cupid first appears at the woman's door, he is described as being "poorly clad" and "with tattered wings." This description not only helps to create a visual image of Cupid, but it also emphasizes his disguise as a beggar.
Similarly, when the woman offers Cupid food and drink, Herrick uses sensory language to describe the scene. He writes, "She gave him drink, she gave him meat, / She gave him sweetmeats too, / She gave him everything to eat, / But meat and sweetmeats, too." This description not only helps to create a sense of the woman's generosity, but it also emphasizes the contrast between her actions and Cupid's deception.
In conclusion, The Cheat of Cupid; or, The Ungentle Guest is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, deception, and manipulation. Herrick's use of language and imagery helps to bring the characters and setting to life, while his playful tone and wit add to the poem's charm. Overall, this poem is a testament to Herrick's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of human emotion in his writing.
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