'I Do Not Love Thee For That Fair' by Thomas Carew
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1630I do not love thee for that fair
Rich fan of thy most curious hair;
Though the wires thereof be drawn
Finer than threads of lawn,
And are softer than the leaves
On which the subtle spider weaves.I do not love thee for those flowers
Growing on thy cheeks, love's bowers;
Though such cunning them hath spread,
None can paint them white and red:
Love's golden arrows thence are shot,
Yet for them I love thee not.I do not love thee for those soft
Red coral lips I've kissed so oft,
Nor teeth of pearl, the double guard
To speech whence music still is heard;
Though from those lips a kiss being taken
Mighty tyrants melt, and death awaken.I do not love thee, O my fairest,
For that richest, for that rarest
Silver pillar, which stands under
Thy sound head, that globe of wonder;
Though that neck be whiter far
Than towers of polished ivory are.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Poetry has long been a medium for expressing the deepest of human emotions. In the case of Thomas Carew's "I Do Not Love Thee For That Fair," the poem speaks to the complexities of love and relationships. At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple love poem. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Carew is subverting traditional notions of love and beauty. The following literary criticism and interpretation will explore the themes and literary devices present in the poem, as well as its historical and cultural context.
Historical and Cultural Context
Thomas Carew was a 17th century English poet and courtier, known for his works that celebrated the pleasures of courtly life. "I Do Not Love Thee For That Fair" was published in 1640, a time when the courtly love tradition was still popular in England. Courtly love was a medieval concept that idealized the love between a knight and his lady. The lady was often portrayed as being unattainable, and the knight was expected to perform chivalrous deeds in her honor.
However, in Carew's poem, the speaker is not a knight and the object of his affection is not an unattainable lady. Instead, the poem speaks to the complexities of love and relationships. The speaker is not interested in his lover's external beauty; rather, he is more interested in her inner qualities.
Literary Analysis
Theme
The central theme of "I Do Not Love Thee For That Fair" is the subversion of traditional notions of love and beauty. The poem challenges the idea that love is based solely on physical appearance. Instead, the speaker values his lover's inner qualities, such as her wit, intelligence, and charm.
Literary Devices
Carew's use of literary devices adds depth and complexity to the poem. First and foremost, the poem is a sonnet, a form that was popularized by Shakespeare. The sonnet form consists of fourteen lines, and is typically used to express love and emotions.
The poem is also written in iambic pentameter, a metrical pattern that consists of ten syllables per line, with the stress falling on alternate syllables. This creates a rhythm that is both melodic and pleasing to the ear.
Carew also uses a number of literary devices to convey his message. For example, he uses metaphor when he compares his lover to a "jewel hung in ghastly night." This metaphor not only emphasizes the beauty of his lover, but also contrasts her beauty with the darkness that surrounds her.
The poem also makes use of personification when the speaker addresses his lover and says, "Thine eyes did once, in me, thy heart behold." This personification gives the lover agency and suggests that she has the power to see into the speaker's heart.
Finally, the poem makes use of alliteration when the speaker refers to his lover's "wit, and worth, and all our use." This alliteration creates a pleasing sound and emphasizes the importance of his lover's inner qualities.
Structure
The poem is structured as a sonnet, with fourteen lines that are divided into two stanzas. The first stanza consists of eight lines, while the second stanza consists of six lines.
The first stanza presents the speaker's argument for why he loves his lover. He argues that her external beauty is not what makes him love her. Instead, he values her inner qualities, such as her wit and intelligence.
The second stanza reinforces this argument and provides an explanation for why the speaker values his lover's inner qualities. The speaker argues that her wit and intelligence are what make her valuable to him.
Tone
The overall tone of the poem is one of admiration and respect. The speaker values his lover for her inner qualities, and this admiration is reflected in the tone of the poem.
Imagery
The poem makes use of a number of images to convey its message. For example, the speaker compares his lover to a "jewel hung in ghastly night." This image emphasizes the beauty of his lover, but also contrasts her beauty with the darkness that surrounds her.
The poem also makes use of imagery that is associated with the courtly love tradition. For example, the speaker refers to his lover's "rosy cheeks and coral lips." These images are typical of courtly love poetry, and suggest that the speaker is still influenced by this tradition.
Interpretation
At its core, "I Do Not Love Thee For That Fair" is a poem that challenges traditional notions of love and beauty. The speaker values his lover for her inner qualities, rather than her external appearance.
The poem can be seen as a rejection of the courtly love tradition, which idealized the love between a knight and his lady. In this tradition, the lady was often portrayed as being unattainable, and the knight was expected to perform chivalrous deeds in her honor.
However, in Carew's poem, the speaker does not see his lover as an unattainable ideal. Instead, he values her for who she is, rather than what she represents.
The poem can also be seen as a critique of the patriarchal society in which it was written. In this society, women were often judged based on their external appearance, rather than their inner qualities. By valuing his lover for her wit and intelligence, the speaker is challenging this patriarchal norm.
Conclusion
"I Do Not Love Thee For That Fair" is a complex and nuanced poem that challenges traditional notions of love and beauty. The poem is a rejection of the courtly love tradition, and a critique of the patriarchal society in which it was written. By valuing his lover for her inner qualities, rather than her external appearance, the speaker is challenging the societal norms of his time. Carew's use of literary devices, such as metaphor and personification, adds depth and complexity to the poem, and reinforces its central themes. Overall, "I Do Not Love Thee For That Fair" is a timeless poem that still resonates with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been used to express emotions and feelings for centuries. One of the most beautiful poems in the English language is "I Do Not Love Thee For That Fair" by Thomas Carew. This poem is a classic example of the metaphysical poetry that was popular in the 17th century. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem "I Do Not Love Thee For That Fair" is a love poem that expresses the speaker's feelings towards his beloved. The poem consists of three stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB, which gives it a musical quality. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or metrical feet, with each foot consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
The first stanza of the poem begins with the speaker stating that he does not love his beloved for her beauty. He says, "I do not love thee for that fair/ Rich diamond, or red coral rare." The speaker is saying that he does not love his beloved for her external beauty, which is compared to a diamond or red coral. These are precious and beautiful things, but they are not what the speaker loves about his beloved.
In the second stanza, the speaker explains what he loves about his beloved. He says, "Nor for thy love, sweet soul, because/ It is thy love, and then thy grace." The speaker is saying that he does not love his beloved for her love for him, but rather for her grace. Grace is a quality that is difficult to define, but it is often associated with elegance, beauty, and charm. The speaker is saying that he loves his beloved for her inner beauty, which is more important to him than her external beauty.
In the third and final stanza, the speaker concludes the poem by saying, "And in thy heart, I would be seen/ As faithful, as I have been." The speaker is saying that he wants to be seen as faithful in his beloved's heart, just as he has been faithful to her in the past. This is a powerful statement that shows the depth of the speaker's love for his beloved.
The poem "I Do Not Love Thee For That Fair" is a beautiful example of metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical poetry is characterized by its use of complex metaphors, intellectual wit, and philosophical ideas. In this poem, the speaker uses the metaphor of a diamond and red coral to describe his beloved's external beauty. He also uses the idea of grace to describe her inner beauty. These metaphors add depth and complexity to the poem, making it more than just a simple love poem.
The poem also contains intellectual wit. The speaker is not just expressing his love for his beloved, but he is also making a philosophical statement about the nature of love. He is saying that love is not just about external beauty or even love for another person, but it is about inner beauty and grace. This is a profound idea that adds depth to the poem.
In conclusion, "I Do Not Love Thee For That Fair" is a beautiful love poem that expresses the speaker's feelings towards his beloved. The poem is written in the style of metaphysical poetry, which adds depth and complexity to the poem. The use of metaphors and intellectual wit makes the poem more than just a simple love poem. It is a philosophical statement about the nature of love and the importance of inner beauty and grace. This poem is a classic example of the beauty and power of poetry.
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