Line by Line in-depth analysis of the IEB prescribed poem 'To Althea from Prison' by Richard Lovelace. Colour-coded and extremely easy to follow to make your studying easier.
The summary also includes an overview of the poem's biographical information, main message, tone, structure, and figurati...
‘To Althea, from Prison’ Richard Lovelace (1618-1658)
When Love with unconfinèd wings 1
Hovers within my gates,
And my divine Althea brings
To whisper at the grates;
When I lie tangled in her hair 5
And fettered to her eye, Passion
The Gods that wanton in the air, Royalty
Know no such liberty. Love
Nature
When flowing cups run swiftly round Friendship
With no allaying Thames, 10 Structure
Our careless heads with roses bound, Godliness
Our hearts with loyal flames;
When thirsty grief in wine we steep,
When Healths and draughts go free—
Fishes that tipple in the deep 15
Know no such liberty.
When, like committed linnets, I
With shriller throat shall sing
The sweetness, mercy, majesty,
And glories of my King; 20
When I shall voice aloud how good
He is, how great should be,
Enlargèd winds, that curl the flood,
Know no such Liberty.
Stone walls do not a prison make, 25
Nor iron bars a cage;
Minds innocent and quiet take
That for an hermitage.
If I have freedom in my love,
And in my soul am free, 30
Angels alone that soar above,
Enjoy such liberty.
, Biographical information:
• Cavalier poet group: Believed in pleasure but also virtue: e.g. partying but also
honouring the king.
• Lovelace was put in jail for petitioning (supporting) King Charles I.
Meaning/Message:
• Power of the mind sets you free.
Imagery/ Figures of speech/ Diction:
• Paradox: Two contradictory ideas that don’t seem to go together; however together,
they actually show us a deeper truth about life.
→ In prison he is set free: When physically trapped, you can most appreciate
how the mind/ imagination gives you the freedom to feel and think as you
want.
ANSWERING TECHNIQUE:
The idea of ________ and _______ seem contradictory. However, ultimately, they reveal the
deeper truth about ______.
Structure:
• Very regular structure: Set rhyme scheme ABAB.
• 4 stanzas of 8 lines (Octaves)
• Repetition of refrain.
• Highlights his ordered and strong argument.
Tone/mood:
• Uplifting/ Assertive / Bold/ Daring/ Inspiring
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