Spiritual Love and Ecstasy in Puritan Poetry Essay

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Anne Bradstreet: To My Dear and Loving HusbandAnne Bradstreet\'s poem “To My Dear and Loving Husband” is a simple yet very deep and very beautiful expression of love from a woman to a man, a wife to a husband, a lover to a lover. It exudes devotion that is rooted in a biblical idea of matrimony—which is made apparent in the very first line: “If ever two were one, then surely we” (Bradstreet 1). The idea of two in one flesh is found in Scripture (Mark 10:8). This would have been well known to Bradstreet and her husband, since they were religious people of the Puritan faith. In a sense, Bradstreet is saying that she and her husband are the epitome of what the Bible is talking about when it talks about two becoming one in holy matrimony. They are the epitome of this bond because their bond is rooted in love. In this way, Bradstreet, who was the first published American poet, is able to eloquently and romantically weave her religious faith in with her genuine love for her husband. This is how she creates a piece that is at once intimately personal and yet at the same time extremely universal. It is universal because every pair of lovers has felt the exact same way as she: like they were the epitome of the kind of love talked about in Mark—two become one. The fact is, that is just how lovers are supposed to be, when their love is pure and holy. The poem thus reflects the depth of this concept and the depth of her real affection; it explores the nature of love but also the nature of mortality and the spell that the idea of eternity holds for those who love.The speaker\'s feelings towards her husband are characterized by unwavering love, which is part of the ideal marital union.

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The poem\'s opening line immediately sets the tone for this unity, suggesting a perfect harmony that goes beyond physical union to a spiritual or soulful connection. However, there is also a tone of rivalry: “Compare with me, ye women, if you can…” (Bradstreet 4). There is a competitive zest in that…

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…of the speaker\'s feelings and the specific language used to convey these emotions opens up several avenues for deeper exploration. One potential topic for an analytical essay could be: How does Anne Bradstreet use religious imagery and hyperbolic language to convey the depth and eternal nature of marital love in \"To My Dear and Loving Husband\"? This question invites one to look at the poem\'s use of language, imagery, and thematic elements to explore how Bradstreet articulates a vision of love.In addressing this question, there would be room to explore how Bradstreet\'s Puritan background influences her portrayal of love, analyzing the integration of religious concepts with the expression of personal affection. It could also examine the role of hyperbole in emphasizing the strength and uniqueness of the speaker\'s love, and how this rhetorical strategy serves to elevate the relationship to a near-divine status. It could consider the poem within the context of Bradstreet\'s broader body of work and her historical period, offering insights into how \"To My Dear and Loving Husband\" reflects and diverges from contemporary attitudes towards marriage, love, and the role….....

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