'Upon Julia's Unlacing Herself' by Robert Herrick

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Tell, if thou canst, and truly, whence doth come
This camphire, storax, spikenard, galbanum,
These musks, these ambers, and those other smells
Sweet as the Vestry of the Oracles.
I'll tell thee:-while my Julia did unlace
Her silken bodice but a breathing space,
The passive air such odour then assumed
As when to Jove great Juno goes perfumed,
Whose pure immortal body doth transmit
A scent that fills both heaven and earth with it.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Upon Julia's Unlacing Herself: A Poetic Celebration of Sensuality

Robert Herrick's "Upon Julia's Unlacing Herself" is a poem that has long captivated readers with its vivid and sensual imagery. Written in the 17th century, the poem celebrates the beauty and sensuality of a woman undressing, and it does so in a way that is both playful and passionate.

At first glance, the poem may seem simple, even lighthearted. But upon closer examination, it becomes clear that there is much more going on beneath the surface. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's themes, imagery, and language, and examine how they work together to create a rich and complex portrait of sensuality and desire.

Theme: Sensuality and the Power of the Senses

At its core, "Upon Julia's Unlacing Herself" is a celebration of sensuality. The poem explores the power of the senses to arouse desire and evoke pleasure. It invites the reader to revel in the beauty of the female form, and to savor the sensations of touch, sight, and sound.

The poem's opening lines set the tone for this celebration of sensuality:

Whenas the rye reach to the chin,
And chopcherry, chopcherry ripe within;
Strawberries swimming in the cream,
And schoolboys playing in the stream.

These lines evoke a sense of abundance and ripe fertility. The rye reaching to the chin suggests a lush and fertile landscape, while the image of strawberries swimming in cream is both sensual and indulgent. The schoolboys playing in the stream suggests carefree playfulness and innocence, but also hints at the potential for mischief and exploration.

All of these images are meant to arouse the senses and awaken the reader's desire. The poem invites us to indulge in the pleasures of the world around us, and to celebrate the beauty and sensuality of the female form.

Imagery: From Fruit to Flesh

Throughout the poem, Herrick uses striking and vivid imagery to create a sensory experience for the reader. He invites us to see, touch, and taste the world he has created, and to revel in its beauty and sensuality.

One of the most striking images in the poem is that of the "strawberries swimming in the cream." This image is both playful and indulgent, inviting the reader to savor the sweetness of the fruit and the richness of the cream. But it also has a deeper significance. The image of the strawberries swimming in the cream suggests the merging of two different substances, the coming together of two distinct elements. This motif of merging and blending is echoed throughout the poem, particularly in the image of Julia's "blessed bashful knee."

Another prominent image in the poem is that of the "cherry ripe within." This image suggests a sense of ripeness and fullness, as well as a potential for bursting forth. The cherry is both sweet and sensual, and it evokes a sense of anticipation and desire.

But while the poem begins with these images of fruit and abundance, it quickly turns to more explicitly erotic imagery. Herrick's description of Julia's "blessed bashful knee" is particularly striking:

Then, then, methinks, how sweetly flows
The liquefaction of her clothes,
And how her whitely rounded neck
Like a Olympian mount doth wreck
The bravest thoughts that they can think.

Here, Herrick shifts from the fruity and playful to the overtly sexual. The "liquefaction" of Julia's clothes suggests a melting away of barriers, a dissolving of inhibitions. The description of her neck as a "Olympian mount" suggests both beauty and power, and the way it "wrecks" the bravest thoughts suggests the overwhelming force of desire.

Throughout the poem, Herrick uses these vivid and sensual images to create a world that is both indulgent and erotic. He invites the reader to indulge in the pleasures of the senses, and to celebrate the beauty and sensuality of the human form.

Language: Playful and Passionate

One of the most striking things about "Upon Julia's Unlacing Herself" is the way in which Herrick uses language to create a sense of playfulness and passion. His use of rhyme and meter creates a sense of rhythm and flow, which in turn enhances the sensuality of the poem.

For example, the poem's opening lines use a playful and intricate rhyme scheme:

Whenas the rye reach to the chin,
And chopcherry, chopcherry ripe within;
Strawberries swimming in the cream,
And schoolboys playing in the stream.

The use of internal rhyme in these lines creates a sense of playfulness and whimsy, while the repetition of the "ch" sound in "chopcherry" and "cherry ripe" creates a sense of anticipation and desire.

Herrick's language throughout the poem is similarly playful and passionate. He uses metaphors and similes to create vivid and striking images, and his use of repetition and alliteration creates a sense of rhythm and flow that enhances the sensuality of the poem.

For example, in the lines "And then, methinks, how sweetly flows / The liquefaction of her clothes," Herrick uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of movement and flow. The repetition of the "s" sound in "sweetly flows" and "liquefaction" creates a sense of softness and fluidity, while the repetition of the "th" sound in "methinks" and "sweetly" creates a sense of intimacy and closeness.

Overall, Herrick's language in "Upon Julia's Unlacing Herself" is sensual and evocative, creating a world that is both playful and passionate.

Conclusion: A Celebration of Sensuality and Desire

In conclusion, Robert Herrick's "Upon Julia's Unlacing Herself" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and sensuality of the human form. Through its vivid imagery and sensual language, the poem invites the reader to revel in the pleasures of the senses, and to celebrate the power of desire.

At its heart, the poem is a celebration of the female form and the sensuality it embodies. Herrick's use of playful and passionate language creates a world that is both indulgent and erotic, inviting the reader to explore the depths of their desire and revel in the beauty of the world around them.

In the end, "Upon Julia's Unlacing Herself" is a timeless work of art that continues to captivate readers with its celebration of sensuality and desire. Whether read for its language, its imagery, or its celebration of the human form, the poem remains a powerful testament to the beauty and power of the senses.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Upon Julia's Unlacing Herself: An Ode to Sensuality

Robert Herrick's "Poetry Upon Julia's Unlacing Herself" is a sensual and erotic poem that celebrates the beauty and sensuality of a woman. The poem is a tribute to Julia, a woman who is undressing herself, and the poet's admiration for her beauty and sensuality. The poem is a classic example of the metaphysical poetry of the seventeenth century, which was characterized by its use of complex metaphors and imagery.

The poem begins with the poet's description of Julia as she undresses herself. The poet describes her as a "mistress of her art," who is skilled in the art of seduction. He admires her beauty and compares her to the goddess Venus, who was the goddess of love and beauty in Roman mythology. The poet's admiration for Julia's beauty is evident in his use of metaphors and imagery. He compares her eyes to "two bright stars," her lips to "cherries," and her breasts to "snowy hills."

The poet's admiration for Julia's beauty is not just physical but also sensual. He celebrates her sensuality and eroticism, which is evident in his description of her as she undresses herself. He describes her as "unlacing" herself, which is a metaphor for undressing. The act of undressing is a sensual act that is associated with eroticism and sexual desire. The poet's use of the metaphor of "unlacing" is a clever way of describing the act of undressing in a sensual and erotic way.

The poet's celebration of Julia's sensuality is also evident in his use of imagery. He describes her as "a sweet queen in a summer's day," which is a metaphor for her beauty and sensuality. The image of a queen in a summer's day is a metaphor for the beauty and sensuality of a woman. The poet's use of this metaphor is a way of celebrating Julia's beauty and sensuality.

The poem is also a celebration of the beauty of nature. The poet compares Julia's beauty to the beauty of nature. He describes her eyes as "two bright stars," which is a metaphor for the beauty of the night sky. He compares her lips to "cherries," which is a metaphor for the beauty of nature's fruits. He describes her breasts as "snowy hills," which is a metaphor for the beauty of the mountains. The poet's use of these metaphors is a way of celebrating the beauty of nature and its connection to human beauty.

The poem is also a celebration of the power of love. The poet's admiration for Julia's beauty and sensuality is a celebration of the power of love. Love has the power to transform a person's perception of beauty and sensuality. The poet's use of metaphors and imagery is a way of expressing the power of love to transform a person's perception of beauty and sensuality.

The poem is also a celebration of the power of poetry. The poet's use of metaphors and imagery is a way of expressing the power of poetry to capture the beauty and sensuality of a woman. The poet's use of language is a way of expressing the power of poetry to evoke emotions and feelings in the reader.

In conclusion, Robert Herrick's "Poetry Upon Julia's Unlacing Herself" is a sensual and erotic poem that celebrates the beauty and sensuality of a woman. The poem is a tribute to Julia, a woman who is undressing herself, and the poet's admiration for her beauty and sensuality. The poem is a classic example of the metaphysical poetry of the seventeenth century, which was characterized by its use of complex metaphors and imagery. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature, the power of love, and the power of poetry.

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