‘To Althea, From Prison’ by Richard Lovelace Flashcards
(37 cards)
What is the form of the poem?
‘To Althea, from Prison’ by Richard Lovelace is a four-stanza poem which is separated into sets of eight lines, or octaves.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
Each of these octaves follows a structured and consistent rhyming pattern of ababcdcd which alternates as the poet saw fit throughout each of the four
verses.
What can the fixed rhyme be linked to? (2)
-The fixed rhyme scheme can be linked to the restriction he faced in prison.
-The lack of variation conveys the monotony and restricted circumstances in which
he found himself.
What is the restriction further conveyed by?
This restriction is further conveyed by the use of iambic tetrameter (consisting of 8 syllables and 4 iambic feet), alternating with the use of iambic trimeter (consisting of 6 syllables and 3 iambic feet).
What does the meter used in the poem create?
The meter creates a monotonous sound which captures the dull, unvarying circumstances of being imprisoned.
First line - meter?
Second line - meter?
(Iambic Tetrameter)
Iambic Trimeter
What does the poem describe?
The poem describes the speaker’s efforts at maintaining his freedom while imprisoned in Gatehouse Prison in 1642.
What does line 1 suggest?
Line 1 suggests that the speaker’s imagination liberates him from his physical surroundings by using a metaphor comparing love with a bird.
What does ‘love with unconfined wings hovers within my gates’ highlight?
‘love with unconfined wings hovers within my gates’ highlights the way the speaker imagines ‘Althea’ being ‘within my gates’.
What are the connotations of divine?
The use of ‘divine’ has connotations of her being perceived as a goddess while ‘whisper at the grates’ provides connotations of intimacy conveying the idea that they are re-united through the power of his imagination.
Who could Althea be?
Althea, which means healer, could be a reference to Lovelace’s fiancée, Lucy Sacheverell.
It suggests that she is a source of comfort for him.
What does the line ‘[lying] tangled in her hair’ and being ‘fetter’d to her eye’ reinforce?
The reference to ‘[lying] tangled in her hair’ and being ‘fetter’d to her eye’ reinforces this intimacy of them being intertwined and the notion of him being shackled/imprisoned by her emotionally which is far preferable to his physical imprisonment.
What connotations do ‘The Gods that wanton in the air’ offer?
The Gods that wanton in the air’ offers connotations of power while ‘wanton’ suggests the freedom they possess.
The speaker suggests that the Gods that have this freedom do not have the ____ that he possesses.
‘Liberty
What does the content of the poem deal with?
The content of the poem deals with the paradox of being free while in confinement.
What power does the speaker have despite being in prison?
Even though he is in prison, he still has the power of the imagination to reflect on previous
occasions spent with friends.
What does ‘flowing cups’ suggest?
‘flowing cups’ suggest convivial times with friends where drink flowed freely and offers connotations of camaraderie.
What does repetition of ‘our’ reinforce?
The repetition of ‘our’ reinforces this sense of togetherness.
What attitude is shown by the reference to ‘careless heads’?
There is a carefree attitude shown by the reference to ‘careless heads’ suggesting their lack of
concern and worry about their lives.
What image does ‘roses crown’d’ provide?
‘roses crown’d’ provides an idyllic image of young men with wreaths on their head which conveys their youthfulness and idealism.
Given Lovelace’s loyalty to King Charles 1, what does the reference to ‘hearts with loyal flames’ imply?
Given Lovelace’s loyalty to King Charles 1, the reference to ‘hearts with loyal flames’ implies the young men’s devout loyalty to the King.
What does ‘thirsty grief in wine we steep’ suggest?
‘thirsty grief in wine we steep’ suggests that these young men are drowning their sorrows and proposing toasts shown by, ‘when healths and draughts go free –’. This conveys the idea that these men are toasting the king unreservedly and are drinking to cope with their grief at the state of the country.
What does the dash at the end of line 14 provoke?
The dash at the end of line 14 is to provoke thought regarding what the speaker has said before the next lines which suggest the extent of their freedom in comparison to ‘fishes’.
What figure of speech is ‘Fishes that tipple in the deep’?
‘Fishes that tipple in the deep’ is a metaphor which compares fish consuming water in the ocean to these young men that are consuming wine.
