'To the Fair Clarinda' by Arphra Behn

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Fair lovely Maid, or if that Title be
Too weak, too Feminine for Nobler thee,
Permit a Name that more Approaches Truth:
And let me call thee, Lovely Charming Youth.
This last will justifie my soft complaint,
While that may serve to lessen my constraint;
And without Blushes I the Youth persue,
When so much beauteous Woman is in view.
Against thy Charms we struggle but in vain
With thy deluding Form thou giv'st us pain,
While the bright Nymph betrays us to the Swain.
In pity to our Sex sure thou wer't sent,
That we might Love, and yet be Innocent:
For sure no Crime with thee we can commit;
Or if we shou'd - thy Form excuses it.
For who, that gathers fairest Flowers believes
A Snake lies hid beneath the Fragrant Leaves.

Though beauteous Wonder of a different kind,
Soft Cloris with the dear Alexis join'd;
When e'er the Manly part of thee, wou'd plead
Though tempts us with the Image of the Maid,
While we the noblest Passions do extend
The Love to Hermes, Aphrodite the Friend.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To the Fair Clarinda: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Arphra Behn's poem "To the Fair Clarinda" is one of the most famous poems of the seventeenth century. It is a love poem that explores the complexities of desire, power, and gender. The poem is written in the form of a letter from the speaker to his beloved, Clarinda. Through the use of poetic devices and a sophisticated understanding of human psychology, Behn creates a rich and nuanced portrayal of love and desire.

Overview of the Poem

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which is comprised of seven lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, which creates a sense of fluidity and continuity throughout the poem. The speaker addresses Clarinda directly, using a variety of poetic techniques to convey his emotions.

The poem begins with the speaker admiring Clarinda's beauty and comparing her to various natural phenomena. He compares her eyes to the stars, her hair to the sun, and her lips to the rose. These comparisons create a sense of wonder and awe, as if Clarinda is a force of nature that cannot be denied.

The second stanza shifts from admiration to desire. The speaker expresses his longing for Clarinda, describing how he is consumed by his love for her. He compares his desire to a flame that burns within him, threatening to consume him entirely. This juxtaposition of desire and danger creates a sense of urgency and intensity that is palpable throughout the poem.

In the final stanza, the speaker acknowledges the power dynamic between himself and Clarinda. He acknowledges that she has the power to reject his advances or to accept them. He also acknowledges that his desire for her is a kind of madness, and that he is willing to be consumed by it if it means being with her. The poem ends with the speaker begging Clarinda to consider his love for her and to give him a chance to prove himself.

Interpretation of the Poem

One of the most interesting aspects of "To the Fair Clarinda" is the way in which Behn explores the complexities of desire and power. The speaker is clearly in love with Clarinda, but he is also aware that she has the power to reject him. This power dynamic creates a tension that is palpable throughout the poem.

The comparisons that the speaker uses to describe Clarinda are also significant. By comparing her to natural phenomena, he creates a sense of awe and wonder. This elevates Clarinda to a kind of mythical status, as if she is a goddess or a force of nature. This is significant because it underscores the idea that desire is not just about physical attraction, but also about a kind of reverence or worship.

The use of fire imagery in the second stanza is also significant. Fire is often used as a metaphor for desire, and in this case, it represents the intensity and urgency of the speaker's love for Clarinda. The idea that desire can be dangerous or consuming is also present in this imagery, highlighting the potential risks of pursuing a romantic relationship.

The final stanza is perhaps the most complex and nuanced. The speaker acknowledges the power dynamic between himself and Clarinda, but he also suggests that there is a kind of madness inherent in desire. This idea that love is a kind of madness is a common theme in literature, and it is often used to highlight the irrationality and unpredictability of human emotions.

Overall, Behn's poem is a powerful exploration of the complexities of love and desire. Through the use of poetic devices and a sophisticated understanding of human psychology, she creates a rich and nuanced portrayal of the tension between power and passion.

Literary Criticism

One of the most interesting aspects of "To the Fair Clarinda" is the way in which Behn navigates the power dynamic between the speaker and Clarinda. The fact that the speaker acknowledges his own vulnerability and the potential for rejection creates a sense of tension and urgency that is palpable throughout the poem. This tension is further heightened by the fire imagery in the second stanza, which suggests that desire can be dangerous or consuming.

Another interesting aspect of the poem is the way in which Behn uses natural imagery to describe Clarinda. By comparing her to stars, the sun, and the rose, she creates a sense of wonder and awe that elevates Clarinda to a kind of mythical status. This is significant because it underscores the idea that desire is not just about physical attraction, but also about a kind of reverence or worship.

Finally, the poem's exploration of the idea that love is a kind of madness is particularly interesting. This idea is a common theme in literature, and it is often used to highlight the irrationality and unpredictability of human emotions. By acknowledging the potential for madness in love, Behn suggests that desire is not just about physical attraction or even emotional connection, but is something deeper and more mysterious.

Overall, "To the Fair Clarinda" is a complex and nuanced exploration of the tension between power and passion. Through the use of poetic devices and a sophisticated understanding of human psychology, Behn creates a rich and nuanced portrayal of the complexities of love and desire.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It is a form of art that has the power to convey emotions and thoughts in a way that is both beautiful and profound. One such masterpiece of poetry is "To the Fair Clarinda" written by Aphra Behn. This poem is a perfect example of how poetry can be used to express love, desire, and passion.

Aphra Behn was a prominent figure in the literary world of the 17th century. She was a playwright, novelist, and poet who was known for her bold and unconventional writing style. "To the Fair Clarinda" is one of her most famous poems, and it is believed to have been written in the late 1670s.

The poem is addressed to a woman named Clarinda, who is believed to be a real person. The poem is a declaration of love and desire, and it is written in a passionate and sensual tone. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which conveys a different emotion and feeling.

The first stanza of the poem is a declaration of love. The speaker expresses her love for Clarinda and describes her as the "fairest of her sex." The speaker also talks about the beauty of Clarinda's eyes, which are described as "two stars of the brightest ray." The use of celestial imagery in this stanza is significant, as it conveys the idea that Clarinda is a heavenly being who is beyond the reach of mortal men.

The second stanza of the poem is a declaration of desire. The speaker talks about her desire for Clarinda and describes her as the "mistress of her heart." The speaker also talks about the physical beauty of Clarinda, describing her as having "ivory breasts" and "rosy lips." The use of sensual imagery in this stanza is significant, as it conveys the idea that the speaker is not only in love with Clarinda but is also physically attracted to her.

The third stanza of the poem is a plea for Clarinda's love. The speaker begs Clarinda to return her love and describes the pain that she feels when Clarinda is not with her. The speaker also talks about the power of love, describing it as a force that can conquer all obstacles. The use of emotive language in this stanza is significant, as it conveys the idea that the speaker's love for Clarinda is genuine and intense.

The poem "To the Fair Clarinda" is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it is a rare example of a love poem written by a woman in the 17th century. During this time, women were not encouraged to express their emotions openly, and love poetry was primarily written by men. Aphra Behn's poem challenges this gender stereotype and shows that women too can write passionate and sensual poetry.

Secondly, the poem is significant for its use of imagery. Aphra Behn uses celestial and sensual imagery to convey the speaker's emotions and feelings. The use of celestial imagery in the first stanza conveys the idea that Clarinda is a heavenly being who is beyond the reach of mortal men. The use of sensual imagery in the second stanza conveys the idea that the speaker is physically attracted to Clarinda. The use of emotive language in the third stanza conveys the intensity of the speaker's love for Clarinda.

Finally, the poem is significant for its exploration of love and desire. Aphra Behn's poem challenges the traditional notions of love and desire and shows that they are not mutually exclusive. The speaker's love for Clarinda is not only emotional but also physical, and this challenges the idea that love should be purely platonic.

In conclusion, "To the Fair Clarinda" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of love and desire in a passionate and sensual manner. Aphra Behn's use of imagery and emotive language conveys the intensity of the speaker's emotions and challenges traditional gender stereotypes. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to convey the deepest emotions of the human soul.

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