dlewis123
01-27-2013, 01:53 AM
Dom Lewis
Mr. Anderson
Brit Lit
January 19, 2013
Looking Through the Elements
When looking at different situations in more ways than one, the perspective can be different every time. Same goes for looking at poetry. Some poets were known as show-offs by their critics by sharp new way they wrote. The Poem “To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars” by Richard Lovelace shows many elements of literature through Cavalier thought such as tone, loyalty to a leader, loyalty to a beloved women, boisterously masculine, technically accomplished and easily sounding, and through Metaphysical Poetry in the bold emotion and intense intellect.
To start off, Lovelace demonstrates Cavalier thought in the poem “To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars” through the element of tone, which could appeal to one as apologetic. The apologetic tone is shown in the lines one through four. “Tell me not, sweet, I am unkind, That from the nunnery Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind To war and arms I fly” (Lovelace 1-4). This quote is showing this tone throughout this poem, by saying he is sorry for being unkind by leaving her and the safe place he knows to go to war. “The Cavalier poets’ attitudes toward women, warfare, honor, and the other matters that concerned them shaped the tone of their poetry vividly” (“Before You Read” p. 263). This proves that the tone can be effected by a women that he loves. Richard Lovelace uses Cavalier thought in his poem to helps us interpret the apologetic tone of “To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars”.
Secondly, Lovelace uses Metaphysical idea to demonstrate the bold emotion in his poem. Bold emotion is found in line four as the character got ready for battle. “To war and arms I fly” (Lovelace 4). This line is a bold statement, as if he was heading off to battle or a battle cry. In that time period having bold emotion is something that Metaphysical poets used. “Metaphysical Poetry- a term that reflected its intensity of intellect, its self-conscious invention, and its bold emotion.” (“Metaphysical Poetry” p. 246). Metaphysical Poetry clearly helps us understand this poem’s bold emotion. One could interpret that Richard Lovelace used the Metaphysical idea to show bold emotion in his poem.
Furthermore, Lovelace portrays loyalty to a leader through Cavalier thought in his poem. In lines five and six you could see an example of loyalty to a leader. “True, a new mistress now I chase, The first foe in the field;” (Lovelace 5-6). In this line he is saying he has a new mistress, in this case his mistress is war which shows his loyalty to his king as he is in battle. Many poets practice chivalry and applied it to their writing. “They adopted the chivalrous code of intense loyalty to a leader, to God, and one beloved women” (“Before You Read” p. 263). The element of metaphysical poetry in showing intense loyalty to a leader is shown in this poem by Richard Lovelace.
Another element of Cavalier thought that Lovelace uses in this poem is how he is boisterously masculine. In lines seven and eight one can interpret how he is showing masculinity. “And with a stronger faith embrace A sword, a horse, a shield” (Lovelace 7-8). Having faith in his sword, horse, and shield shows his masculine side by not showing his fear. In a literature book a source proves that writers use the idea of boisterous masculinity. “But they were also boisterously masculine, pleasure-loving, worldly, and cynical” (“Before You Read” P. 263). As you can see, through Cavalier thought in this poem Lovelace shows boisterous masculinity.
Continually, Lovelace demonstrates writing with ease and being technically accomplished through Cavalier thought in his poem. For example in lines five through eight shows to be technically accomplished “True, a new mistress now I chase, The first foe in the field; And with a stronger faith embrace A sword, a horse, a shield” (Lovelace 5-8). These lines flow very nicely and yet at the same time it is written technically correct. He makes it look easy to write this kind of poetry. Further examples are in a literature book. “Pope should have said that they seemed to write with ease, because he knew better than most people how hard it is to make any kind of writing, and especially poetry, sound easy and at the same time be technically accomplished” (“Sir John Suckling 1609-1642 Richard Lovelace 1618-1657” P. 262). As shown in the literature book writers then tended to write with ease and yet still technically accomplished. The element of writing technically accomplished and with ease through Cavalier thought, assists us in interpreting this poem by Richard Lovelace.
Additionally, through the idea of Metaphysical Poetry another element that is showcased in Lovelace’s poem is using intense intellect. Lines nine and ten demonstrates intense intellect, “Yet this inconstancy is such As you too shall adore;” (Lovelace 9-10). In this case he is speaking with a high intensity of intellect by speaking in more of a Elegant language then speaking in a simple modern language. A source in a Literature book showcases that poets used intense intellect. “Metaphysical Poetry- a term that reflected its intensity of intellect, its self-conscious invention, and its bold emotion” (“Metaphysical Poetry” P. 246). By using the idea of Metaphysical Poetry, Lovelace portrayed his intense intellect throughout his poem.
Lastly, loyalty to a beloved women is shown as an element through, Cavalier thought, which is portrayed in Lovelace’s poem. In lines eleven and twelve he shows loyalty to his beloved Lucasta. “I could not love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not honor more” (Lovelace 11-12). In these lines he is saying by going to fight he is honoring her because of his love for her. Another source in a literature book states. “They adopted the chivalrous code of intense loyalty to a leader, to God, and one beloved women” (“Before You Read” P. 263). In this poem Lucasta is his one beloved women that he shows his loyalty to her in line eleven and twelve. Loyalty to a beloved one is another element that can be interpreted in Lovelace’s poem through Cavalier thought.
In conclusion, the literature elements of tone, bold emotion, loyalty to a leader, boisterously masculine, technically accomplished and easily sounding, intense intellect, and loyalty to a beloved women can be shown throughout Richard Lovelace’s poem To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars. Firstly, one could interpret the tone as apologetic shown in lines one through four. Secondly, the bold emotion of the poem shown in line four as he is boldly heading off to battle. Also, his loyalty to his leader is showcased in lines five and six when he is at battle for his king. Furthermore, lines seven and eight demonstrates his boisterous masculinity when he is getting ready with his sword, shield, and horse. Another element shown is how technically accomplished and easily sounding the poem is, more so in lines five through eight. Continuing on the intense intellect that is shown in lines nine and ten when he is speaking very elegantly and proper. Lastly, he portrays his loyalty to his beloved women in lines eleven and twelve as he is telling her that he is going to war because he loves and and wants to protect her. These are all interpretations that one can make using different elements of literature. There are many other interpretations of this poem, how would you interpret it?
Work Cited
“Before You Read”, pg. 263, Holt, Rinehart. Elements of literature [Gr. 12] Literature of Britain with world classics.. Austin [Tex.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000. Print.
Holt, Rinehart. Elements of literature [Gr. 12] Literature of Britain with world classics.. Austin [Tex.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000. Print.
Lovelace, Richard, “To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars”, Holt, Rinehart. Elements of literature [Gr. 12] Literature of Britain with world classics.. Austin [Tex.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000. Print.
“Metaphysical Poetry”, Holt, Rinehart. Elements of literature [Gr. 12] Literature of Britain with world classics.. Austin [Tex.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000. Print.
C.F main, “Sir John Suckling 1609-1642 Richard Lovelace 16018-1657”, Holt, Rinehart. Elements of literature [Gr. 12] Literature of Britain with world classics.. Austin [Tex.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000. Print.
Mr. Anderson
Brit Lit
January 19, 2013
Looking Through the Elements
When looking at different situations in more ways than one, the perspective can be different every time. Same goes for looking at poetry. Some poets were known as show-offs by their critics by sharp new way they wrote. The Poem “To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars” by Richard Lovelace shows many elements of literature through Cavalier thought such as tone, loyalty to a leader, loyalty to a beloved women, boisterously masculine, technically accomplished and easily sounding, and through Metaphysical Poetry in the bold emotion and intense intellect.
To start off, Lovelace demonstrates Cavalier thought in the poem “To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars” through the element of tone, which could appeal to one as apologetic. The apologetic tone is shown in the lines one through four. “Tell me not, sweet, I am unkind, That from the nunnery Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind To war and arms I fly” (Lovelace 1-4). This quote is showing this tone throughout this poem, by saying he is sorry for being unkind by leaving her and the safe place he knows to go to war. “The Cavalier poets’ attitudes toward women, warfare, honor, and the other matters that concerned them shaped the tone of their poetry vividly” (“Before You Read” p. 263). This proves that the tone can be effected by a women that he loves. Richard Lovelace uses Cavalier thought in his poem to helps us interpret the apologetic tone of “To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars”.
Secondly, Lovelace uses Metaphysical idea to demonstrate the bold emotion in his poem. Bold emotion is found in line four as the character got ready for battle. “To war and arms I fly” (Lovelace 4). This line is a bold statement, as if he was heading off to battle or a battle cry. In that time period having bold emotion is something that Metaphysical poets used. “Metaphysical Poetry- a term that reflected its intensity of intellect, its self-conscious invention, and its bold emotion.” (“Metaphysical Poetry” p. 246). Metaphysical Poetry clearly helps us understand this poem’s bold emotion. One could interpret that Richard Lovelace used the Metaphysical idea to show bold emotion in his poem.
Furthermore, Lovelace portrays loyalty to a leader through Cavalier thought in his poem. In lines five and six you could see an example of loyalty to a leader. “True, a new mistress now I chase, The first foe in the field;” (Lovelace 5-6). In this line he is saying he has a new mistress, in this case his mistress is war which shows his loyalty to his king as he is in battle. Many poets practice chivalry and applied it to their writing. “They adopted the chivalrous code of intense loyalty to a leader, to God, and one beloved women” (“Before You Read” p. 263). The element of metaphysical poetry in showing intense loyalty to a leader is shown in this poem by Richard Lovelace.
Another element of Cavalier thought that Lovelace uses in this poem is how he is boisterously masculine. In lines seven and eight one can interpret how he is showing masculinity. “And with a stronger faith embrace A sword, a horse, a shield” (Lovelace 7-8). Having faith in his sword, horse, and shield shows his masculine side by not showing his fear. In a literature book a source proves that writers use the idea of boisterous masculinity. “But they were also boisterously masculine, pleasure-loving, worldly, and cynical” (“Before You Read” P. 263). As you can see, through Cavalier thought in this poem Lovelace shows boisterous masculinity.
Continually, Lovelace demonstrates writing with ease and being technically accomplished through Cavalier thought in his poem. For example in lines five through eight shows to be technically accomplished “True, a new mistress now I chase, The first foe in the field; And with a stronger faith embrace A sword, a horse, a shield” (Lovelace 5-8). These lines flow very nicely and yet at the same time it is written technically correct. He makes it look easy to write this kind of poetry. Further examples are in a literature book. “Pope should have said that they seemed to write with ease, because he knew better than most people how hard it is to make any kind of writing, and especially poetry, sound easy and at the same time be technically accomplished” (“Sir John Suckling 1609-1642 Richard Lovelace 1618-1657” P. 262). As shown in the literature book writers then tended to write with ease and yet still technically accomplished. The element of writing technically accomplished and with ease through Cavalier thought, assists us in interpreting this poem by Richard Lovelace.
Additionally, through the idea of Metaphysical Poetry another element that is showcased in Lovelace’s poem is using intense intellect. Lines nine and ten demonstrates intense intellect, “Yet this inconstancy is such As you too shall adore;” (Lovelace 9-10). In this case he is speaking with a high intensity of intellect by speaking in more of a Elegant language then speaking in a simple modern language. A source in a Literature book showcases that poets used intense intellect. “Metaphysical Poetry- a term that reflected its intensity of intellect, its self-conscious invention, and its bold emotion” (“Metaphysical Poetry” P. 246). By using the idea of Metaphysical Poetry, Lovelace portrayed his intense intellect throughout his poem.
Lastly, loyalty to a beloved women is shown as an element through, Cavalier thought, which is portrayed in Lovelace’s poem. In lines eleven and twelve he shows loyalty to his beloved Lucasta. “I could not love thee, dear, so much, Loved I not honor more” (Lovelace 11-12). In these lines he is saying by going to fight he is honoring her because of his love for her. Another source in a literature book states. “They adopted the chivalrous code of intense loyalty to a leader, to God, and one beloved women” (“Before You Read” P. 263). In this poem Lucasta is his one beloved women that he shows his loyalty to her in line eleven and twelve. Loyalty to a beloved one is another element that can be interpreted in Lovelace’s poem through Cavalier thought.
In conclusion, the literature elements of tone, bold emotion, loyalty to a leader, boisterously masculine, technically accomplished and easily sounding, intense intellect, and loyalty to a beloved women can be shown throughout Richard Lovelace’s poem To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars. Firstly, one could interpret the tone as apologetic shown in lines one through four. Secondly, the bold emotion of the poem shown in line four as he is boldly heading off to battle. Also, his loyalty to his leader is showcased in lines five and six when he is at battle for his king. Furthermore, lines seven and eight demonstrates his boisterous masculinity when he is getting ready with his sword, shield, and horse. Another element shown is how technically accomplished and easily sounding the poem is, more so in lines five through eight. Continuing on the intense intellect that is shown in lines nine and ten when he is speaking very elegantly and proper. Lastly, he portrays his loyalty to his beloved women in lines eleven and twelve as he is telling her that he is going to war because he loves and and wants to protect her. These are all interpretations that one can make using different elements of literature. There are many other interpretations of this poem, how would you interpret it?
Work Cited
“Before You Read”, pg. 263, Holt, Rinehart. Elements of literature [Gr. 12] Literature of Britain with world classics.. Austin [Tex.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000. Print.
Holt, Rinehart. Elements of literature [Gr. 12] Literature of Britain with world classics.. Austin [Tex.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000. Print.
Lovelace, Richard, “To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars”, Holt, Rinehart. Elements of literature [Gr. 12] Literature of Britain with world classics.. Austin [Tex.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000. Print.
“Metaphysical Poetry”, Holt, Rinehart. Elements of literature [Gr. 12] Literature of Britain with world classics.. Austin [Tex.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000. Print.
C.F main, “Sir John Suckling 1609-1642 Richard Lovelace 16018-1657”, Holt, Rinehart. Elements of literature [Gr. 12] Literature of Britain with world classics.. Austin [Tex.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000. Print.