'To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything' by Robert Herrick
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Bid me to live, and I will live
Thy Protestant to be;
Or bid me love, and I will give
A loving heart to thee.A heart as soft, a heart as kind,
A heart as sound and free,
As in the whole world thou canst find,
That heart I'll give to thee.Bid that heart stay, and it will stay,
To honour thy decree;
Or bid it languish quite away,
And 't shall do so for thee.Bid me to weep, and I will weep
While I have eyes to see;
And having none, yet I will keep
A heart to weep for thee.Bid me despair, and I'll despair
Under that cypress-tree;
Or bid me die, and I will dare
E'en death to die for thee.Thou art my life, my love, my heart,
The very eyes of me;
And hast command of every part
To live and die for thee.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything: A Literary Analysis
Who is Robert Herrick?
Robert Herrick is considered one of the greatest English poets of the seventeenth century. He was born in London in 1591 and spent most of his life in rural Devonshire, where he was a country clergyman. Herrick's poetry was greatly influenced by the works of Ben Jonson and the classical Roman poets. He was known for his light-hearted and often erotic lyrical poetry, which celebrated love, nature, and beauty. Herrick's most famous collection of poetry is his book, "Hesperides," which was published in 1648.
What is "To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything" about?
"To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything" is a poem that celebrates the speaker's love for a woman named Anthea. The speaker is willing to do anything for Anthea, and he asks her to command him to do whatever she wishes. The poem is a beautiful expression of love and devotion, and it celebrates the power of love to inspire us to do great things.
What is the structure of the poem?
The poem is a lyric poem composed of three stanzas, each containing six lines. The lines are written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line contains four iambs, or metrical feet. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCC, which means that the first and third lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, while the fifth and sixth lines rhyme with each other. This rhyme scheme creates a sense of unity and coherence in the poem, and it helps the reader to focus on the speaker's message.
What is the tone of the poem?
The tone of the poem is one of love, devotion, and adoration. The speaker is deeply in love with Anthea, and he is willing to do anything for her. The language of the poem is beautiful and lyrical, and it creates a sense of intimacy and closeness between the speaker and Anthea. The poem is also playful and sensual, and it celebrates the joys of love and physical intimacy. Overall, the tone of the poem is one of celebration and joy, and it celebrates the power of love to inspire us to greatness.
What are some of the key themes in the poem?
The key themes in the poem are love, devotion, and the power of love to inspire us to do great things. The poem celebrates the beauty of love and the joys of physical intimacy, and it suggests that love has the power to transform us and inspire us to greatness. The poem also celebrates the idea of service, and it suggests that the speaker is happy to serve Anthea and do whatever she wishes. Overall, the poem is a celebration of love and the many ways in which it can inspire us to live better and more fulfilling lives.
What are some of the key images in the poem?
The poem is full of beautiful and evocative images that help to create a sense of intimacy and closeness between the speaker and Anthea. One of the key images in the poem is the image of the "rose," which is used to symbolize Anthea's beauty and grace. The speaker compares Anthea to a rose, and he suggests that her beauty is as delicate and lovely as a flower. Another key image in the poem is the image of the "kiss," which is used to symbolize the physical intimacy and passion that the speaker shares with Anthea. The speaker suggests that the kiss is a symbol of their love and devotion, and he celebrates the joy and pleasure that it brings. Overall, the images in the poem help to create a sense of intimacy and sensuality, and they help to underscore the central themes of love and devotion.
What is the message of the poem?
The message of the poem is one of love, devotion, and service. The speaker is deeply in love with Anthea, and he is willing to do anything for her. He celebrates the power of love to transform us and inspire us to greatness, and he suggests that his love for Anthea has inspired him to be a better person. The poem celebrates the joys of physical intimacy and the beauty of love, and it suggests that love is a powerful force that can bring us closer to each other and to the world around us. Overall, the message of the poem is a celebration of love and the many ways in which it can inspire us to live better and more fulfilling lives.
What is the significance of the poem?
"To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything" is a significant poem because it represents a beautiful expression of love and devotion. The poem celebrates the power of love to inspire us to greatness, and it suggests that love is a powerful force that can transform our lives. The poem is also significant because it represents a classic example of seventeenth-century English poetry, and it is a testament to the beauty and power of the English literary tradition. Overall, the poem is a beautiful expression of love and devotion, and it is a testament to the enduring power of love to transform our lives and inspire us to greatness.
In Conclusion
"To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything" is a beautiful poem that celebrates the power of love to inspire us to greatness. The poem is full of beautiful and evocative images, and it creates a sense of intimacy and closeness between the speaker and Anthea. The poem celebrates the joys of love and physical intimacy, and it suggests that love is a powerful force that can transform our lives and inspire us to be better people. Overall, the poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the many ways in which it can inspire us to live better and more fulfilling lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything: A Masterpiece of Love and Devotion
Robert Herrick, a renowned English poet of the 17th century, is known for his lyrical and romantic poetry. Among his many works, Poetry To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything stands out as a masterpiece of love and devotion. In this poem, Herrick expresses his undying love for Anthea, a woman who holds a special place in his heart. Through his words, he paints a vivid picture of his love, devotion, and willingness to do anything for her. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and historical context.
The poem is written in the form of a love letter addressed to Anthea. It is divided into four stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem begins with the speaker declaring his love for Anthea and his willingness to do anything for her. He says, "Bid me to live, and I will live / Thy Protestant to be; / Or bid me love, and I will give / A loving heart to thee." Here, the speaker is expressing his willingness to convert to Protestantism if Anthea asks him to. He is also willing to give her his heart if she asks him to love her. This shows the depth of his love and devotion for her.
In the second stanza, the speaker continues to express his devotion to Anthea. He says, "A heart as soft, a heart as kind, / A heart as sound and free / As in the whole world thou canst find, / That heart I'll give to thee." Here, the speaker is saying that he will give Anthea a heart that is soft, kind, and pure. He believes that his heart is the best in the world, and he is willing to give it to her. This shows the speaker's confidence in his love and his desire to make Anthea happy.
In the third stanza, the speaker uses imagery to describe his love for Anthea. He says, "Bid that heart stay, and it will stay, / To honor thy decree; / Or bid it languish quite away, / And 't shall do so for thee." Here, the speaker is saying that his heart will do whatever Anthea asks of it. If she wants it to stay, it will stay. If she wants it to wither away, it will do so for her. This shows the speaker's willingness to sacrifice his own happiness for Anthea's.
In the final stanza, the speaker concludes the poem by saying, "Bid me to weep, and I will weep, / While I have eyes to see; / And having none, yet I will keep / A heart to weep for thee." Here, the speaker is saying that he will weep for Anthea if she asks him to. He will weep as long as he has eyes to see, and even if he loses his sight, he will keep a heart to weep for her. This shows the speaker's commitment to Anthea and his willingness to do anything to make her happy.
The poem is filled with literary devices that enhance its meaning and beauty. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe his love for Anthea. For example, he describes his heart as "soft," "kind," and "pure." He also uses imagery to describe the actions he is willing to take for her. He says his heart will "stay" or "languish" depending on her command. This use of imagery helps to create a vivid picture of the speaker's love and devotion.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "And I will" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's willingness to do anything for Anthea. This repetition helps to create a sense of urgency and passion in the poem.
The historical context of the poem is also important to consider. The poem was written in the 17th century, a time when courtly love was a popular theme in literature. Courtly love was a medieval European concept of love between a knight and a noblewoman. It was characterized by chivalry, devotion, and admiration. The poem reflects this concept of courtly love, with the speaker expressing his devotion and admiration for Anthea.
In conclusion, Poetry To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything is a masterpiece of love and devotion. Through his words, Robert Herrick paints a vivid picture of his love for Anthea and his willingness to do anything for her. The poem is filled with literary devices such as imagery and repetition, which enhance its meaning and beauty. The historical context of courtly love is also important to consider when analyzing the poem. Overall, Poetry To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything is a timeless expression of love and devotion that continues to resonate with readers today.
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