A Married State - Draft
The poem “A Married State” is about a woman giving advice on marriage. The poem was created during the 17[SUP]th[/SUP] century therefore it shows many stereotypical features of what a woman would be doing around that time. The poem is based on the negativity of a life in the 17[SUP]th[/SUP] century as a woman.
The purpose of this poem is to educate on how marriage is both not good or at “ease”. Also the poem has a purpose to address gender inequality. Katherine Philips throughout the poem intends to make the woman she is giving the advice to; to not get married or lose her virginity. In the 17[SUP]th[/SUP] century woman‘s possessions all went to their husbands and Katherine Philips says this as a consequence of getting married. I know this because “Tho they dissemble their misfortunes well”.
The rhythm of the poem is maintained throughout, which includes five beats on each line. We know this because “The best of husbands are so hard to please”. This indicates the five beats and therefore suggests pleasing their men during that time was extremely hard.
We see a variety of different rhyming couplets throughout the poem. I know this because “ease and “please”. These occur on every two lines however only one line does not follow. The reason why this is consistent through the poem because it is suggesting how being married is going to be the same thing each day. This acts as repetition and extremely clever. I like the way how the poet has used this because it is extremely unique and expresses what being married in the 17[SUP]th [/SUP]century was like.
The poet uses imagery to emphasise how being a virgin is most precious. I know this because “A virgin state is crown’d with much content”. This is indicating that being a virgin must be kept precious and if you do so your life will be “content”. I appreciate how the poet has employed this line because it is completely going against the stereotypical woman. This is because woman in the 17[SUP]th[/SUP] century were meant to go get married and have children however this line suggests not.
There is a clever metaphorical line which indicates the stereotypical consequence of not getting married. I know this because “There’s no such thing as leading apes in hell”. This indicates that the poet is saying that it is a myth and it will not happen to you as a punishment if you do not get married. I am content how the poet has had the confidence to say this because many women around that time were scared of actually this happening to them.
The poem contains content of a clever employment of alliteration. I know this because “Love’s Levity”. This is suggesting that when you are married you will receive no respect and therefore not be content with your future life. I dislike the imagery used here because it informs us that during the 17[SUP]th[/SUP] century woman were not treated right therefore refers to gender inequality.
The poet expresses what comes with marriage comes children and therefore comes pain and a consequence of this tries to persuade her not to get married. I know this because “No children’s cries to offend your ears”. This symbolizes that motherhood is extremely horrible and tiring.
The language of the poem is interesting because it has many examples of religious terminology which was most probably used in the 17[SUP]th[/SUP] century. I know this because “apostate” which means when you abandon your religion. However this was employed to emphasise how you shouldn’t abandon your religion for motherhood or marriage. I credit the poet for placing this in her poem because it’s suggesting not to give up your independence or religion for a small thing like marriage or children.
The poem is set out in one big verse with approximately fourteen lines.
This was for college and a draft.
