ELEGY VII: "I taught thee to love" (themes/conciets)

Question 1

What are the main themes in the poem?

Answer 1

1. Love as education.
2. Jealousy and betrayal (villinization).
3. Control and ownsership
4. Gender dynamics
5. Critique of conventional love/learned love.

Question 2

How does the poem explore the theme of Love as Education?

Answer 2

• The speaker presents himself as a prophet/ teacher of Love’s religion.
• Framing love as something to be learned and cultivated.
• implying the mistress lacked fundamental understanding of the ‘mystic language’ (=idiot)

“I had not taught thee then, the alphabet of flowers.“
“I planted knowledge and life’s tree in thee.“

Question 3

How does the poem explore jealousy and betryal?

Answer 3

• The pupil has outstripped the teacher, and uses her acquired knowledge of love for another man.

Question 4

How does the poem explore the theme of control and possession?

Answer 4

• The speaker describes the women as something he has crafted, trained, refined.
• Suggesting love is ownsership rather than mutual care and understanding.

Question 5

How is the theme of gender dynamics and power explored?

Answer 5

• The poem reflects the patriarchal Rennaisance view of women.
• In which men= educators/ refiners/
• Women= possessions/ creations.