The scrutiny - Lovelace Flashcards
What voice does the speaker have in relation to love and fidelity?
The speaker has the voice of a libidinous lothario, a man who behaves selfishly and irresponsibly in sexual relationships with women. He argues that men need variety, and monogamy gets in the way of this.
‘I must all other beauties wrong’ - shallow, superficial obejctification of women
What does the semantic field of promises emphasize?
emphasises his aversion to and distaste of marriage and vows, and his noncommittal nature (ironic)
What does ‘fond impossibility’ suggest about fidelity?
‘Fond impossibility’ presents fidelity as something impossible and unrealistic, as if it were out of the speaker’s control.
What poetic structure is used throughout the poem?
Iambic tetrameter is used throughout the poem, aiming to convey the speaker’s message in a calm and measured way, using a regular rhyme scheme and approaching it in an emotionally detached way
How does the speaker view fidelity?
The speaker views fidelity as tedious, as indicated by the phrase ‘a tedious twelve hours space,’ where alliteration conveys frustration.
What does ‘I must search the black and fair’ imply?
It implies a manipulative attitude, with the imperative modal verb suggesting duty and arrogance.
What does ‘I must all other beauties wrong’ indicate?
It indicates a shallow, superficial objectification of women.
What imagery is used in ‘like skilful mineralises that sound for treasure in unploughed up ground’?
here, the use of sibilance makes him appear cunning and sinister even. The image of farming and fertility creates an image of possession and exploitation. He has an aggressive attitude towards lust and a very colonial attitude towards some which applies to land also - synonymous, they are both property.
What does ‘spoils of meaner beauties crowned’ suggest?
spoils = rewards from war. the verb crowned present sex as a conquest, he sees it as an achievement and himself as royal and self-important. He is robbing her of her viriginity, but also her social status, possibly leaving her with a child - this reflects the double standards of a patriarchal society.
