'Dream , The' by Arphra Behn
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All trembling in my arms Aminta lay,
Defending of the bliss I strove to take;
Raising my rapture by her kind delay,
Her force so charming was and weak.
The soft resistance did betray the grant,
While I pressed on the heaven of my desires;
Her rising breasts with nimbler motions pant;
Her dying eyes assume new fires.
Now to the height of languishment she grows,
And still her looks new charms put on;
– Now the last mystery of Love she knows,
We sigh, and kiss: I waked, and all was done.
`Twas but a dream, yet by my heart I knew,
Which still was panting, part of it was true:
Oh how I strove the rest to have believed;
Ashamed and angry to be undeceived!
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Exploration of Aphra Behn's Poetry, Dream
Welcome to the world of Aphra Behn, the first female playwright to earn a living through her writing in the 17th century. Today, we will delve into her poem, "Dream," and explore how Behn uses language, imagery, and symbolism to convey themes of love, beauty, and the fickleness of desire.
Background on Aphra Behn
Behn is a fascinating figure in literary history, known for her unconventional lifestyle and the boldness of her writing. Born in 1640, she lived during a time when women were rarely educated and had few opportunities to pursue creative careers. However, Behn defied societal expectations and traveled to Suriname as a spy for the English government, worked as a playwright, and published poetry and fiction.
Behn's work often challenged traditional gender roles and explored themes of sexuality, power, and identity. She was one of the first writers to depict female desire and pleasure in her work, paving the way for future generations of women writers.
Overview of "Dream"
"Dream" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the nature of love and desire. The speaker of the poem is a woman who has been visited by a dream in which she sees a beautiful young man. The dream is so vivid that she wakes up feeling as though she has truly experienced the presence of the man.
The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's experience. In the first section, she describes the dream itself and the beauty of the man she saw. In the second section, she reflects on the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of aging. In the final section, she grapples with the idea that her desire for the man in her dream may never be fulfilled.
Analysis of Language and Imagery
Behn's use of language and imagery in "Dream" is masterful, creating a vivid and sensory experience for the reader. The opening lines of the poem are particularly striking:
In visions of the dark night
I have dreamed of joy departed—
But a waking dream of life and light
Hath left me broken-hearted.
These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, with their rich descriptions of the speaker's dream and her subsequent disappointment upon waking. The use of contrasting imagery—darkness and light, joy and heartbreak—creates a sense of emotional depth and complexity.
Throughout the poem, Behn employs vivid and sensual language to describe the beauty of the man in the speaker's dream. She uses words such as "radiant," "lovely," and "divine" to convey his physical perfection, and she compares him to various natural and celestial phenomena:
As a sunbeam through a wave,
Or the soft air when lovers rave,
Or the light dancing on the sea
These comparisons serve to elevate the man's beauty to a sacred or divine level, emphasizing the intensity of the speaker's desire for him.
Themes of Love and Desire
At its core, "Dream" is a poem about love and desire, and how these emotions can both inspire and torment us. The speaker's dream represents the perfect embodiment of her desires: a beautiful, youthful, and mysterious man who captivates her completely. However, this idealized version of love is ultimately unattainable, as the man exists only in her imagination.
Behn also explores the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of aging. In the second section of the poem, the speaker reflects on the fact that even the most beautiful things in life are destined to fade away:
And the world hath but one age—
Mine own is but a day.
The speaker's longing for the man in her dream is therefore made even more poignant by the knowledge that his beauty, like all beauty, will eventually fade.
Symbolism in "Dream"
Behn uses symbolism throughout the poem to convey deeper meanings and emotions. One of the most striking examples is the use of the rose as a symbol of beauty and desire. The speaker describes the man in her dream as having "roses in his cheeks," and later reflects on the fact that even the most beautiful roses inevitably wither and die:
Roses, plucked and put in a vase,
In that chamber died apace.
This use of the rose as a symbol of beauty and mortality reinforces the poem's themes of love and desire, and reminds us of the fleeting nature of all things.
Another important symbol in "Dream" is the sea, which is described in various ways throughout the poem. In the opening lines, the speaker describes the sea as "dark," "mournful," and "endless," creating a sense of foreboding and melancholy. Later in the poem, however, the sea is described as "dancing" and "sparkling," evoking a sense of joy and wonder. This shift in the sea's symbolism reflects the speaker's shifting emotions as she moves from the intense desire of her dream to the disappointment and sadness of waking life.
Conclusion
In "Dream," Aphra Behn creates a rich and complex exploration of love, desire, and the fleeting nature of beauty. Through her masterful use of language, imagery, and symbolism, she invites the reader to share in the speaker's emotions and experiences, and to reflect on the universal human experiences of longing, disappointment, and the search for meaning and connection.
As a literary critic, I find Behn's work to be both groundbreaking and deeply moving. Her boldness and fearlessness in exploring taboo subjects such as sexuality and desire paved the way for future generations of writers to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in literature. And her ability to convey complex emotions and experiences through vivid language and imagery is a testament to her skill and talent as a writer.
In short, "Dream" is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today, almost four centuries after it was written. It is a testament to the enduring power of literature to capture and convey the deepest aspects of human experience, and to connect us across time and distance through the shared language of the written word.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Dream: An Analysis of Aphra Behn's Classic Poem
Aphra Behn, a prominent figure in the world of literature, is known for her exceptional works of poetry, plays, and novels. Her poem, Poetry Dream, is a classic piece that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire readers even today. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this masterpiece and analyze its various aspects.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a dream where she is transported to a world of poetry. The imagery used in the opening lines is vivid and captivating, drawing the reader into the dream world. The speaker describes the world as a place where "the air was all perfumed, and the trees / Did gently shake their heads, as if to please." This description sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with beautiful and enchanting imagery.
As the speaker explores this world of poetry, she encounters various figures who represent different aspects of the art form. The first figure she meets is "a lovely maid" who represents the beauty and grace of poetry. The speaker describes her as having "a face so fair, / As might with that of Venus' self compare." This comparison to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, emphasizes the importance of aesthetics in poetry.
The next figure the speaker meets is a "grave and learned sage" who represents the intellectual and philosophical aspects of poetry. The speaker describes him as having "a look so wise, / As if he had conversed with all the skies." This description highlights the importance of knowledge and wisdom in creating meaningful poetry.
The third figure the speaker encounters is a "jolly god" who represents the playful and humorous side of poetry. The speaker describes him as having "a face so full of mirth, / As might have made the gravest soul on earth / To smile." This figure reminds us that poetry is not always serious and can be used to bring joy and laughter.
The final figure the speaker meets is a "noble hero" who represents the heroic and epic aspects of poetry. The speaker describes him as having "a look so bold, / As if he had the world's great empire hold." This figure emphasizes the power and grandeur of poetry, which can be used to tell epic stories and inspire greatness.
Throughout the poem, the speaker emphasizes the importance of each of these figures and how they contribute to the art of poetry. She also emphasizes the importance of balance, as each figure represents a different aspect of poetry that must be balanced in order to create a truly great work.
The poem ends with the speaker waking up from her dream and realizing that she has been inspired to create her own poetry. She says, "And now, methinks, I could with ease indite, / And write such verses as might give delight." This ending emphasizes the transformative power of poetry, which can inspire and motivate us to create our own works of art.
In terms of form, Poetry Dream is a rhyming poem with a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme. This structure gives the poem a musical quality and makes it easy to read and remember. The poem is also written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a natural and flowing rhythm.
In conclusion, Aphra Behn's Poetry Dream is a classic poem that continues to inspire readers today. Through vivid imagery and a musical structure, Behn explores the different aspects of poetry and emphasizes the importance of balance in creating great works of art. The poem reminds us of the transformative power of poetry and how it can inspire us to create our own works of art.
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