Summary of "Love Armed" by Aphra Behn

Overview

• "Love Armed" is a poem by Aphra Behn that first appeared in her play "Abdelazer or The Moor's Revenge" in 1677.
• The poem explores themes of love, power, betrayal, and emotional torment within the context of a tragedy.

Aphra Behn's Background

• Behn was a pioneering female English writer, one of the first to make a living from writing.
• She was also a political spy for King Charles II, which influenced her works, often challenging societal norms on gender and power.

Poem Themes and Structure

• Themes: The poem tackles the brutal and one-sided nature of love, personifying it as a male entity wielding power over the speaker, Florella, a lady-in-waiting who loves Prince Phillip.
• Structure: Composed of two stanzas of eight lines each, divided into quatrains with an a b a b c d c d rhyme scheme.
• Meter: Primarily iambic tetrameter with exceptions for emphasis.

Literary Devices

• Personification: Love is depicted as armed and aggressive, drawing on imagery of Cupid but highlighting the darker aspects of love.
• Imagery and Syntax: Behn uses anastrophe and capitalized words for emphasis, depicting love as a parasitic and militaristic force.
• Repetition: The verb "took" is used to show love's exploitative nature, showcasing its relentless take from both the speaker and Phillip.

Themes in Context

• Behn emphasizes societal and gender inequalities, portraying love as an oppressive force active in a male-dominated society.
• The poem comments on the emotional imbalance and suffering due to unreciprocated love, contrasting the speaker's vulnerability with her lover's indifference.

Conclusion

• The poem ends with the speaker acknowledging the shared role in empowering love's tyranny but ultimately highlighting the one-sided suffering she endures.
• Behn's portrayal of love reflects the gender dynamics of her time, examining how love can be a tool of oppression and emotional conquest in a patriarchal society.

Further Exploration

• For more insights into this poem and other literary works by Aphra Behn, consider exploring videos and literature that delve into English language topics and exam techniques.