'To Amarantha, That She Would Dishevel Her Hair' by Richard Lovelace

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Amarantha, sweet and fair,
Ah, braid no more that shining hair!
As my curious hand or eye
Hovering round thee, let it fly!Let it fly as unconfined
As its calm ravisher the wind,
Who hath left his darling th' East,
To wanton o'er that spicy nest.Every tress must be confessed
But neatly tangled at the best,
Like a clew of golden thread
Most excellently ravelled.Do not then wind up that light
In ribbands, and o'ercloud in night,
Like the sun in 's early ray;
But shake your head and scatter day!See, 'tis broke! Within this grove,
The bower and the walks of love,
Weary lie we down and rest,
And fan each other's panting breast.Here we'll strip and cool our fire,
In cream below, in milk-baths higher,
And when all wells are drawn dry,
I'll drink a tear out of thine eye.Which our very joys shall leave,
That sorrows thus we can deceive;
Or our very sorrows weep,
That joys so ripe, so little keep.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To Amarantha, That She Would Dishevel Her Hair by Richard Lovelace

Oh, what a beautiful and intriguing piece of poetry we have here! Richard Lovelace's "To Amarantha, That She Would Dishevel Her Hair" is a stunning work of art that has captivated readers for centuries. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices that make this poem so memorable and beloved.

Historical Context

Before we delve into the poem itself, let's take a moment to consider the historical context in which it was written. Richard Lovelace was a 17th-century English poet, born in 1618 to an affluent family in London. He attended Oxford University, where he became known for his poetry and his enthusiastic support of the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. Lovelace was imprisoned multiple times for his political activities and spent several years in exile in France. He returned to England in 1658 but fell out of favor with the new government and died in poverty in 1659. "To Amarantha" was likely written during Lovelace's Oxford years, before the outbreak of the Civil War, and was published in his collection "Lucasta" in 1649.

Analysis

Theme: Beauty and Youth

The primary theme of "To Amarantha" is beauty and youth. Lovelace addresses Amarantha, a woman of exquisite beauty, and implores her to dishevel her hair and let it fall freely around her shoulders. He praises her youthful beauty and laments that it will not last forever:

Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,

Old Time is still a-flying;

And this same flower that smiles today

Tomorrow will be dying.

These lines, taken from the first stanza of the poem, are often quoted on their own as a celebration of seizing the day and enjoying life while one can. However, in the context of the poem as a whole, they take on a more melancholy tone. Lovelace is not merely urging Amarantha to enjoy the present; he is mourning the fleeting nature of youth and beauty.

Symbol: Hair

The symbol of hair is central to the poem. Lovelace's repeated entreaties to Amarantha to "dishevel" her hair and "let it fly" suggest a desire for abandon, freedom, and sensuality. Hair is often associated with femininity, and the act of letting it down can be seen as a symbol of release from societal constraints. At the same time, hair is also a symbol of transience and impermanence. Hair sheds and grows and changes over time, much like the passing of youth and beauty. By focusing on Amarantha's hair, Lovelace is able to explore both the joys and sorrows of beauty and youth.

Literary Device: Allusion

Lovelace's use of allusion is another noteworthy aspect of this poem. In the second stanza, he compares Amarantha to Andromeda, a Greek mythological figure who was chained to a rock and left to be eaten by a sea monster until she was rescued by the hero Perseus. By invoking this story, Lovelace sets up a contrast between Amarantha's beauty and vulnerability and the heroic rescue that saves her. This juxtaposition highlights the precariousness of beauty and the need for protection.

Literary Device: Hyperbole

Hyperbole is also present in the poem, particularly in the third stanza, where Lovelace writes:

And while thy willing soul transpires

At every pore with instant fires,

Now let us sport us while we may;

And now, like amorous birds of prey,

The exaggerated language of "instant fires" and "amorous birds of prey" adds to the sensuality and urgency of the poem. Lovelace is not content to merely suggest that Amarantha should enjoy her youth; he wants her to revel in it with abandon.

Interpretation

So, what can we make of all these themes, symbols, and literary devices? "To Amarantha" is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. One possible interpretation is that Lovelace is expressing his own desires and fears about beauty and youth. As a young man who was renowned for his good looks and charm, Lovelace may have felt keenly aware of the fleeting nature of these qualities. By urging Amarantha to dishevel her hair and enjoy her youth, he may have been trying to convince himself to do the same. At the same time, the poem's mournful undertones suggest that Lovelace was also aware of the inevitability of aging and death.

Another interpretation is that "To Amarantha" is a commentary on the societal expectations placed on women. Amarantha's beauty is a gift and a curse; it brings her admiration and attention, but also leaves her vulnerable to harm. Lovelace's desire for her to let down her hair can be seen as a plea for her to cast off the expectations placed on her and embrace her own desires and pleasures. However, the fact that he is the one making this plea underscores the power dynamic at play; it is Lovelace who gets to decide what Amarantha should do with her hair and her body.

Ultimately, "To Amarantha, That She Would Dishevel Her Hair" is a rich and rewarding poem that rewards repeated readings and analysis. Its themes, symbols, and literary devices continue to resonate with readers today, nearly four centuries after its initial publication. Whether we interpret it as a celebration of youth and sensuality or a commentary on societal expectations and power dynamics, one thing is clear: Lovelace's poem is a testament to the power of language and the enduring nature of art.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To Amarantha, That She Would Dishevel Her Hair: A Timeless Ode to Love and Freedom

Richard Lovelace, the renowned English poet of the seventeenth century, is known for his romantic and lyrical poetry that celebrates love, beauty, and freedom. Among his many works, "Poetry To Amarantha, That She Would Dishevel Her Hair" stands out as a classic ode to the power of love and the beauty of natural freedom.

In this poem, Lovelace addresses his beloved Amarantha, urging her to let down her hair and embrace the wildness and freedom of nature. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and power of natural love, and a call to reject the constraints of society and embrace the true essence of life.

The poem begins with a powerful invocation to Amarantha, the object of Lovelace's love and admiration. He addresses her as the "fairest young Apollo," comparing her to the Greek god of beauty and poetry. This comparison sets the tone for the poem, as Lovelace uses the language of myth and legend to elevate his beloved to a higher plane of existence.

Lovelace then proceeds to describe Amarantha's beauty in vivid and sensual terms. He praises her "golden tresses," her "rosy cheeks," and her "ivory neck," painting a picture of a woman who is both ethereal and earthly, both divine and human. He compares her to the "morning sun," the "blushing rose," and the "snowy swan," using natural imagery to convey her beauty and grace.

However, Lovelace's praise of Amarantha's beauty is not mere flattery or empty words. Rather, it is a prelude to his main message, which is a call to embrace the natural freedom and wildness of life. He urges Amarantha to "dishevel" her hair, to let it flow freely and unrestrained, like the "wanton wind" or the "wild sea." This call to embrace natural freedom is a central theme of the poem, and it reflects Lovelace's own belief in the power of love and the beauty of nature.

Lovelace's call to embrace natural freedom is not just a romantic ideal, but a political and social statement as well. In the seventeenth century, England was a society that valued order, hierarchy, and conformity. Lovelace, however, was a poet who celebrated individualism, freedom, and rebellion. His poem "To Althea, From Prison," written during his imprisonment for political dissent, is a classic example of his belief in the power of freedom and the human spirit.

In "Poetry To Amarantha," Lovelace uses the language of love and beauty to convey his political and social message. He urges Amarantha to reject the constraints of society and embrace the true essence of life, which is wild, free, and untamed. He compares her to the "wanton wind," the "wild sea," and the "untamed fire," using natural imagery to convey the power and beauty of natural freedom.

Lovelace's call to embrace natural freedom is also a call to embrace the power of love. He sees love as a force that can break down the barriers of society and unleash the true potential of the human spirit. He urges Amarantha to let down her hair and embrace the wildness of life, to "let thy love be my only fate." This call to embrace love as the ultimate destiny is a central theme of the poem, and it reflects Lovelace's own belief in the power of love to transform and liberate.

In conclusion, "Poetry To Amarantha, That She Would Dishevel Her Hair" is a timeless ode to love and freedom that celebrates the beauty and power of natural love. Richard Lovelace, the poet of love and freedom, uses the language of myth and legend to elevate his beloved to a higher plane of existence, and urges her to embrace the natural freedom and wildness of life. His call to reject the constraints of society and embrace the true essence of life is a political and social statement as well, reflecting his own belief in the power of individualism, freedom, and rebellion. This poem is a classic example of Lovelace's romantic and lyrical poetry, and a testament to the enduring power of love and freedom in human life.

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