'What Kind Of Mistress He Would Have' by Robert Herrick
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Be the mistress of my choice,
Clean in manners, clear in voice;
Be she witty, more than wise,
Pure enough, though not precise;
Be she showing in her dress,
Like a civil wilderness,
That the curious may detect
Order in a sweet neglect;
Be she rolling in her eye,
Tempting all the passers by;
And each ringlet of her hair,
An enchantment, or a snare,
For to catch the lookers on;
But herself held fast by none.
Let her Lucrece all day be,
Thais in the night, to me.
Be she such, as neither will
Famish me, nor overfill.
Editor 1 Interpretation
What Kind of Mistress He Would Have by Robert Herrick: A Critical Analysis
Robert Herrick's poem, What Kind of Mistress He Would Have, is a delightful piece of poetry that explores the speaker's desires for his ideal mistress. Written in the seventeenth century, the poem is a product of the English Renaissance, a period marked by great intellectual and cultural diversity. Herrick, who was one of the most prominent poets of this era, had a unique approach to poetry, and this poem is a testament to his skill and creativity.
Form and Structure
The poem comprises three stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The use of tetrameter gives the poem a rhythmic quality and an easy flow that makes it pleasant to read. The poem's structure is symmetrical, with each stanza beginning and ending with the same line: "A sweet disorder in the dress." Herrick's use of this refrain creates a sense of cohesion and unity throughout the poem, making it more memorable and impactful.
Imagery and Tone
The poem is filled with vivid imagery that appeals to the senses. Herrick uses a series of metaphors and similes to describe the qualities he seeks in his ideal mistress. The use of sensory language creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind, making the poem more engaging and immersive. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker compares his ideal mistress to a tree that is both sturdy and flexible. He says:
A lady richly clad as she, Beautiful, comely, and discreet, Whose eye doth all things else defeat, Not stooping to the vulgar view Nor yet denying it, but still Doth keep her motion and her will
The use of the tree metaphor creates a powerful image of a woman who is both strong and graceful. The imagery of the tree's branches bending without breaking suggests a woman who is flexible and adaptable, yet still able to stand firm in the face of adversity.
The poem's tone is playful and lighthearted, with a hint of wistfulness. The speaker's desires for his ideal mistress are expressed with a sense of longing and yearning, but also with a sense of humor. The use of the phrase "a sweet disorder in the dress" in each stanza creates a sense of whimsy and adds to the poem's overall tone.
Themes
The poem explores several themes, including love, beauty, and the ideal. The speaker's desires for his ideal mistress reflect his romantic aspirations and his longing for a woman who embodies all the qualities he finds attractive. The poem suggests that beauty is more than skin deep and that true beauty comes from within. The speaker seeks a woman who is not only physically attractive but also intelligent, discreet, and graceful. The poem also explores the theme of the ideal, suggesting that the speaker's desires for his ideal mistress are unattainable in reality. The poem's playful tone suggests that the speaker is aware of this fact and is content to dream about his perfect woman.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Herrick's poem, What Kind of Mistress He Would Have, is a delightful piece of poetry that explores the speaker's desires for his ideal mistress. The poem's rhythmic meter and symmetrical structure create a sense of cohesion and unity, while its vivid imagery and playful tone make it engaging and immersive. The poem explores several themes, including love, beauty, and the ideal, and suggests that true beauty comes from within. Overall, the poem is a testament to Herrick's skill and creativity as a poet and remains a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
What Kind of Mistress He Would Have: A Poetic Exploration of Love and Desire
Robert Herrick's "What Kind of Mistress He Would Have" is a classic poem that explores the complexities of love and desire. Written in the 17th century, the poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences.
At its core, the poem is a meditation on the qualities that the speaker desires in a mistress. The speaker begins by stating that he does not want a mistress who is too beautiful or too proud. Instead, he desires a mistress who is "neither too easy nor too hard to please." This desire for balance and moderation is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
The speaker goes on to describe the kind of mistress he would have in vivid detail. He wants a mistress who is "not too young, nor yet too old," someone who is "not too witty, nor too bold." He desires a mistress who is "not too rich, nor yet too poor," someone who is "not too high, nor yet too low." In short, he wants a mistress who is just right.
The poem is notable for its use of imagery and metaphor. The speaker compares his desired mistress to various natural elements, such as a rose that is "not too red, nor yet too pale," and a bird that is "not too swift, nor yet too slow." These comparisons serve to heighten the sensory experience of the poem and to create a vivid picture of the kind of mistress the speaker desires.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of paradox. The speaker desires a mistress who is both "chaste and kind," someone who is "neither too cold nor yet too hot." These paradoxes serve to highlight the speaker's desire for balance and moderation, and to emphasize the complexity of human desire.
The poem also explores the theme of mortality. The speaker acknowledges that his desired mistress will not be perfect, and that she will eventually grow old and die. He states that he wants a mistress who will "grow old with me," someone who will be a companion and a friend as well as a lover. This desire for companionship and intimacy is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
Overall, "What Kind of Mistress He Would Have" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complexities of love and desire. Through its use of imagery, metaphor, and paradox, the poem creates a vivid picture of the kind of mistress the speaker desires, while also exploring deeper themes of mortality and companionship. As such, it remains a timeless classic of English poetry, and a testament to the enduring power of the written word to capture the essence of human experience.
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