'Song' by Arphra Behn
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Oh love! that stronger art than Wine,
Pleasing Delusion, Witchery divine,
Wont to be priz'd above all Wealth,
Disease that has more Joys than Health;
Though we blaspheme thee in our Pain,
And of Tyranny complain,
We are all better'd by thy Reign.
What Reason never can bestow,
We to this useful Passion owe:
Love wakes the dull from sluggish ease,
And learns a Clown the Art to please:
Humbles the Vain, kindles the Cold,
Makes Misers free, and Cowards bold;
And teaches airy Fops to think.
When full brute Appetite is fed,
And choakd the Glutton lies and dead;
Thou new Spirits dost dispense,
And fine'st the gross Delights of Sense.
Virtue's unconquerable Aid
That against Nature can persuade;
And makes a roving Mind retire
Within the Bounds of just Desire.
Chearer of Age, Youth's kind Unrest,
And half the Heaven of the blest!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Behn's "Poetry, Song": A Deep Analysis of the Art of Love
When one thinks of love, one might initially think of the fluttering of the heart, the rush of emotions, or the physical attraction that comes with it. But in Arphra Behn's poem "Poetry, Song," love is not simply a feeling, but a form of art. Throughout the poem, Behn explores the art of love through the lens of poetry and song, deftly weaving together themes of passion, desire, and artistic expression.
A Closer Look at the Structure and Form
At first glance, "Poetry, Song" appears to be a simple and straightforward poem. It is composed of three stanzas, each containing four lines, and follows an AABB rhyme scheme. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that there is a deeper level of complexity at play.
The first stanza sets the stage, introducing the reader to the idea of love as an art form. It is composed of simple, declarative sentences that emphasize the central thesis of the poem: that love and poetry are interconnected.
Love in fantastic triumph sate, Whilst bleeding hearts around him flow'd, For whom fresh pains he did create, And strange tyrannic power he show'd;
The second stanza builds upon this idea, using vivid imagery and metaphor to describe the power and intensity of love. The use of personification is particularly effective, as it allows Behn to imbue love with a sense of agency and intentionality.
From thy bright eyes he took his fires, Which round about in sport he hurl'd; But 'twas from mine he took desires, Enough to undo the amorous world.
The final stanza serves as a conclusion, emphasizing the transformative power of love when channeled through the art of poetry and song.
From me, alas! He took his mien, That havoc which my heart doth kill: Did you not see, my heart, how mean And despicable I look'd still?
The overall structure of the poem is thus carefully crafted to convey a sense of progression, with each stanza building upon the previous one to create a cohesive whole.
The Art of Love as a Form of Art
At its core, "Poetry, Song" is a poem about the art of love. Behn argues that love, like poetry and song, is a form of creative expression that can be honed and perfected. The poem is thus both an exploration of this idea and a celebration of the power of love when channeled through artistic expression.
The first stanza sets the tone, introducing the reader to the idea of love as an art form. Behn describes love as a "fantastic triumph," suggesting that it is something to be celebrated and revered. She then goes on to describe the ways in which love creates "fresh pains" and wields a "tyrannic power," highlighting the intense emotions and struggles that come with it.
The second stanza builds upon this theme, describing the power and intensity of love through vivid imagery and metaphor. By using personification, Behn imbues love with a sense of agency and intentionality, suggesting that it is not simply a passive feeling, but an active force that can shape and transform those who experience it.
Finally, the third stanza brings everything together by emphasizing the transformative power of love when channeled through poetry and song. Behn argues that through these artistic forms, love can be elevated to a higher plane, imbuing it with a sense of beauty and transcendence.
Exploring the Theme of Desire
One of the central themes of "Poetry, Song" is desire. Behn describes love as a powerful force that can create "fresh pains" and "strange tyrannic power," highlighting the intense emotions and struggles that come with it. At the same time, however, she also suggests that desire can be a positive force when channeled through the art of poetry and song.
"From thy bright eyes he took his fires," Behn writes, describing the way in which love can be kindled and fueled by desire. She then goes on to describe how this desire can be transformed into something beautiful and transformative through the art of poetry and song.
Ultimately, Behn argues that desire is not something to be feared or repressed, but rather a powerful force that can be harnessed and channeled through creative expression.
Conclusion: The Beauty and Power of Love as an Art Form
In "Poetry, Song," Arphra Behn offers a powerful and nuanced exploration of the art of love. Through her use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and careful structure, she deftly weaves together themes of passion, desire, and artistic expression. Ultimately, she argues that love is not simply a feeling, but a form of art that can be honed and perfected through creativity and expression.
As a reader, it is impossible not to be moved by the beauty and power of Behn's words. Whether we are experiencing love for the first time or the hundredth, "Poetry, Song" reminds us of the transformative power of this most primal of emotions, and the ways in which it can be elevated to something truly transcendent through the art of poetry and song.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Song by Aphra Behn: An Analysis of the Classic Poem
If you are a fan of poetry, then you must have come across the classic poem, Poetry Song, written by Aphra Behn. This poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire poets and poetry lovers alike. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
First, let us take a look at the structure of the poem. Poetry Song is a short poem consisting of only four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. This simple structure gives the poem a musical quality, making it easy to remember and recite.
Now, let us delve into the meaning of the poem. At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple celebration of poetry. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker declaring, "I love the jocund dance, / The softly-breathing song, / Where innocent eyes do glance, / And where lisps the maiden's tongue." Here, the speaker expresses their love for the joyous and innocent nature of poetry, which is often associated with youth and beauty.
The second stanza continues this celebration of poetry, with the speaker declaring, "I love the laughing vale, / I love the echoing hill, / Where mirth does never fail, / And the jolly swain laughs his fill." Here, the speaker is celebrating the natural beauty of the world and the joy that poetry can bring to it. The use of the word "jolly" to describe the swain emphasizes the happiness and merriment that poetry can bring.
However, the third stanza takes a darker turn, with the speaker declaring, "I love the pleasant cot, / I love the innocent bow'r, / Where white and brown is our lot, / Or fruit in the midday hour." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the harsh realities of life and the fact that not everyone can enjoy the beauty and joy of poetry. The use of the word "lot" to describe the speaker's situation emphasizes the idea that one's circumstances in life can limit their ability to enjoy the pleasures of poetry.
Finally, the fourth stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker declaring, "The nightingale, all night long, / Her amorous descant sings; / With which the neighboring groves are stor'd, / And heaven with her harmony rings." Here, the speaker is celebrating the beauty of nature and the way that poetry can capture and express that beauty. The use of the word "harmony" to describe the nightingale's song emphasizes the musical quality of poetry and its ability to create a sense of harmony and unity.
Now that we have analyzed the meaning of the poem, let us take a closer look at the literary devices used by the poet. One of the most notable literary devices used in Poetry Song is imagery. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses vivid imagery to create a sense of the joy and beauty of poetry. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker describes the "jocund dance" and the "softly-breathing song," creating a sense of movement and sound that brings the poem to life.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The use of the phrase "I love" at the beginning of each stanza emphasizes the speaker's passion for poetry and creates a sense of unity throughout the poem. Additionally, the repetition of the ABAB rhyme scheme creates a sense of musicality and rhythm that adds to the poem's overall beauty.
Finally, the use of contrast is another notable literary device used in the poem. The contrast between the joyous celebration of poetry in the first two stanzas and the acknowledgement of life's harsh realities in the third stanza creates a sense of tension and complexity that adds depth to the poem.
In conclusion, Poetry Song by Aphra Behn is a classic poem that celebrates the joy and beauty of poetry while acknowledging the harsh realities of life. Through its simple structure, vivid imagery, and use of literary devices such as repetition and contrast, the poem captures the essence of poetry and its ability to bring happiness and harmony to the world. Whether you are a seasoned poetry lover or a newcomer to the world of verse, Poetry Song is a poem that is sure to inspire and delight.
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