Earthly Pleasures, Poetry, College Term Papers.com


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Back to Subjects - Poetry

Earthly Pleasures

Earthly Pleasures There are clearly opposing views of how individuals should spend the short time they have on earth. In George Herbert’s poem, “Virtue”, and in Edmund Waller’s poem, “Go, Lovely Rose”, the poets have contradicting values of what should be done with our time on earth. Herbert is a puritan who believes that earthly pleasures should be ignored, as life should be spent preparing for another world after death. In contrast, Waller suggests individuals take advantage of earth’s beauty and surrender to life pleasures. Though both poems recognize the ideal world that surrounds us, “Virtue” indicates earthly pleasures should be ignored, while “Go, Lovely Rose” suggests we succumb to the bliss of life. Herbert begins the poem with an appropriate title, “Virtue”, which helps convey the underlying meaning of the poem. A short definition of virtue is moral goodness. The decisions individuals make in life should be moral and exclude earthly distractions. People should spend their time on earth preparing for the next place after death. Through the title, the author already examines how ethical decisions are the road to salvation. The poem “Virtue” acknowledges secular wonders that surround us everyday, but the poem also recognizes that these wonders are unimportant. To indulge and be intrigued by earthly pleasures is mindless behavior. The “rash gazer” (Herbert 6) is mindlessly obsessed by the world and follows urges with no purposeful intent. Obsession with worldly pleasures is useless as it does not better an individuals soul. This behavior distracts people from preparing for the next world as earthly influences cloud the path to righteousness. Herbert recognizes consequences of indulging in worldly impulses as by doing so is a sin. The “Sweet day” (Herbert 1), “Sweet Rose” (Herbert 5) and the “Sweet Spring” (Herbert 9) are attractive elements which all die. Herbert is suggesting the same of people. Fixation of earthly pleasure will lead to obsession which will ultimately lead to a persons final death. Herbert illustrates death throughout the poem by his repetition of the word die and by the illustration that everything comes to and end. Finally, at the end of the poem although “the whole world turn to coal” (Herbert 15) some individuals will live. There are dyer outcomes for everything in life but a “virtuous soul” (Herbert 13), someone who is tough and can escape earthly distractions will be permitted to live in the next world. Although Herbert believe humans should not give into worldly pleasures, Waller is convinced we enjoy our time on earth. Waller sets up his poem with a suitable title that subtlety represents his perspective of how people should not deny their temptations. The title, “Go, Lovely Rose”, sounds permissive as it encourages individuals to experiment throughout life. The title acknowledges the diversity of life and requires humans to participate in earthly pleasures. The title suggests that people indulge in their attractions and allow the physical world to seduce their emotions as we all eventually die. The poem deals with many sexual connotations as Waller recognizes strong forces that are imposed on people. Unlike Herbert’s poem “Virtue”, “Go, Lovely Rose” implies we give into earthly pleasures in our surroundings. Individuals should not “shuns to have her graces spied” (Waller 7) but instead embrace the physical world. The author is suggesting that people bring forth their sexuality as it is a pleasure to be enjoyed. Waller obviously believes that we should not be ashamed of our feeling when he says, “And not blush so to be admired” (Waller 15). Attraction is a natural phenomenon and people should accept and appreciate secular gifts. Waller understands the importance of indulging in earthly pleasures. Individuals cannot ignore their temptations as this will lead to a dull life and ultimately lead to death. Waller says, “Thou must have uncommended died” (Waller 10) which illustrates the authors perspective that a flagellant person will die old and shriveled from omitting physical pleasures from life. Another reason to allow yourself to be influenced by earthly pleasures is because of “How small a part of time they share” (Waller 19). Waller is aware of the brevity of life and believes people must give into all the opportunities life offers. Both Herbert and Waller have radically different views as Herbert suggests we deny temptations while Waller encourages us to embrace earthly pleasures. Both authors recognize the beauty of life but have contrasting views as to how people should respond to secular provocation. Ultimately there are choices in life that individuals are faced with. People must decide whether to live the traditional puritanical philosophy or to succumb to the physical world. While some believe there will be consequences for those who allow temptation into their life the choice is up to each individual. Bibliography: There are clearly opposing views of how individuals should spend the short time they have on earth. In George Herbert’s poem, “Virtue”, and in Edmund Waller’s poem, “Go, Lovely Rose”, the poets have contradicting values of what should be done with our time on earth. Herbert is a puritan who believes that earthly pleasures should be ignored, as life should be spent preparing for another world after death. In contrast, Waller suggests individuals take advantage of earth’s beauty and surrender to life pleasures. Though both poems recognize the ideal world that surrounds us, “Virtue” indicates earthly pleasures should be ignored, while “Go, Lovely Rose” suggests we succumb to the bliss of life.

Word Count: 786