'Why Should A Foolish Marriage Vow' by John Dryden

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Why should a foolish marriage vow,
Which long ago was made,
Oblige us to each other now
When passion is decay'd?
We lov'd, and we lov'd, as long as we could,
Till our love was lov'd out in us both:
But our marriage is dead, when the pleasure is fled:
'Twas pleasure first made it an oath.

If I have pleasures for a friend,
And farther love in store,
What wrong has he whose joys did end,
And who could give no more?
'Tis a madness that he should be jealous of me,
Or that I should bar him of another:
For all we can gain is to give our selves pain,
When neither can hinder the other.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

Why Should A Foolish Marriage Vow is a classic poem written by John Dryden in the 17th century. The poem is a satirical take on the societal pressure to enter into marriage, as well as the consequences of making vows that are not well thought out. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and literary devices used by Dryden in this poem.

Structure and Form

The poem is written in rhyming couplets, which gives it a sing-song quality. However, this lighthearted tone is juxtaposed with the serious nature of the poem's message. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with eight lines. The stanzas are not uniform in structure, but rather vary in their number of syllables per line. This adds to the poem's whimsical nature while also conveying a sense of instability, mirroring the danger of making rash decisions.

Themes

One of the key themes of the poem is societal pressure to enter into marriage. Dryden exposes the way society has made marriage a requirement for social acceptance, even at the cost of one's own happiness. He highlights how people make rash decisions to get married because society expects them to, rather than because they truly want to.

Another theme in the poem is the consequences of making foolish vows. Dryden portrays how the consequences of such foolish decisions can have lifelong impacts. He uses vivid imagery to create a sense of dread and despair, which emphasizes the seriousness of the message.

Imagery

Dryden uses imagery to convey the sense of danger that is associated with making a foolish vow. He describes the vow as a "bondage" that is "snare-like" and "net-like". This language creates an image of being trapped, unable to escape from the consequences of a rash decision. The use of animalistic descriptors such as "snare" and "net" also creates a sense of being preyed upon, highlighting the predatory nature of societal pressure.

The poem also uses imagery to contrast the joyous occasion of a wedding with the bleak reality that can follow. Dryden describes the "voice of the turtle" and the "bells that ring" at a wedding, which highlights the happy atmosphere of the occasion. However, he then contrasts this with the image of a "swan-like end", which is a metaphor for death. This creates a sense of foreboding, as if the joyous occasion of a wedding is merely a prelude to a tragic end.

Literary Devices

Dryden uses a number of literary devices to convey his message. One such device is satire, which he uses to criticize societal pressures and expectations. He also uses irony to highlight the gap between the expectations of society and the reality of life. For example, he notes that people make vows to stay together "till death do us part", but then go on to live unhappy lives together.

Another device used by Dryden is hyperbole, which he uses to amplify the seriousness of the message. For example, he describes the vow as a "bondage" that is "irksome", which emphasizes the sense of being trapped and unable to escape. He also uses personification, with the vow being described as a "fiend" and a "tyrant". This creates an image of the vow as an oppressive force that must be reckoned with.

Conclusion

Why Should A Foolish Marriage Vow is a poem that critiques the societal pressure to enter into marriage, as well as the consequences of making rash decisions. Through its use of imagery, literary devices, and structure, the poem conveys a serious message in a lighthearted way. Dryden highlights the dangers of societal expectations, and argues for the importance of making informed decisions that are true to one's own desires. Although written in the 17th century, the message of the poem is still relevant today, and serves as a cautionary tale for those considering making any kind of vow.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Why Should A Foolish Marriage Vow: A Masterpiece by John Dryden

John Dryden, one of the greatest poets of the 17th century, is known for his satirical and witty works. His poem "Why Should A Foolish Marriage Vow" is a classic example of his style. The poem is a satirical take on the institution of marriage and the vows that come with it. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem is written in heroic couplets, a form of poetry that was popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. Heroic couplets consist of two rhyming lines of iambic pentameter. The poem has a total of 32 lines and is divided into four stanzas.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem. Dryden starts by asking a rhetorical question, "Why should a foolish marriage vow?" The use of the word "foolish" immediately suggests that the poem is going to be a satirical take on marriage. Dryden then goes on to say that marriage vows are nothing but empty promises. He says that people make these vows without any intention of keeping them. The use of the word "swear" suggests that people take these vows lightly and without any real commitment.

In the second stanza, Dryden takes a dig at the religious aspect of marriage. He says that marriage vows are taken in the presence of God, but people still break them. He says that people use God's name to make false promises. The use of the word "profane" suggests that people are disrespecting God by breaking their vows.

The third stanza is the most satirical of all. Dryden says that people make marriage vows because they are afraid of being alone. He says that people are willing to make false promises just to have someone by their side. The use of the word "fear" suggests that people are driven by their insecurities and not by love.

In the final stanza, Dryden concludes the poem by saying that marriage vows are meaningless. He says that people should not make promises that they cannot keep. The use of the word "vain" suggests that people are making empty promises without any real intention of keeping them.

The poem is a scathing critique of the institution of marriage. Dryden is suggesting that people should not make promises that they cannot keep. He is saying that marriage vows are meaningless if people do not intend to keep them. The poem is also a commentary on the human condition. Dryden is suggesting that people are driven by their insecurities and fears, and that they are willing to make false promises just to have someone by their side.

In conclusion, "Why Should A Foolish Marriage Vow" is a masterpiece by John Dryden. The poem is a satirical take on the institution of marriage and the vows that come with it. Dryden is suggesting that people should not make promises that they cannot keep. The poem is also a commentary on the human condition. Dryden is suggesting that people are driven by their insecurities and fears, and that they are willing to make false promises just to have someone by their side. The poem is a timeless classic that is still relevant today.

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