Analysis of Katherine Phillips' Poem "A Married State"

Background

• Katherine Phillips, an eminent 17th-century English poet, published a collection of poems entitled "Poems by the most deservedly admired Mrs Katherine Phillips the matchless Orinda" in 1667, three years after her death at the age of 32.
• Celebrated as one of the first English women to publish under her own name, albeit partially concealed as "Orinda."
• She was part of the Society of Friendship, a circle of poets and intellectuals promoting loyalty and platonic love, particularly among women, using pseudonyms and verses to support women's expression.

Themes and Content

• Marriage Critique: Phillips's speaker critiques the institution of marriage, emphasizing its burdens, especially for women in the 17th-century societal context.
• Social Pressures: Addresses societal norms pressuring women to marry young, with arranged marriages being typical for middle-class women like Phillips.
• Female Autonomy: The poem advocates for personal autonomy and values singlehood against traditional marital expectations.
• Literary Significance: Her work highlights women's experiences, focusing on marriage and friendship in a period when such themes were typically overlooked.

Poetic Structure and Style

• Format: The poem consists of a single stanza of 16 lines, primarily in iambic pentameter with some deviations.
• Rhyme: Predominantly end-stopped and structured with a distinct rhyme scheme (AA BB CC DD DD EE FF GG).
• Language: Utilizes plain diction and direct statements rather than elaborate metaphors, enhancing its conversational tone.
• Rhythm and Meter: Phillips applies meter changes and enjambment to emphasize her argument—such as the iambic hexameter in line 12 and the enjambed 11th line.

Literary Devices

• Imagery and Symbolism: Marriage is depicted through burden imagery—husbands being blustering, childbirth painful, and children's cries offensive.
• Irony and Subversiveness: Subtly challenges societal norms, presenting an ironic portrayal of unmarried life through the comparison with Elizabeth I.
• Rhetorical Techniques: Uses asyndetic lists, anaphora, and unconventional rhyme patterns to emphasize the grievances of marriage.

Interpretation and Influence

• Historical Reflection: Provides insight into the gender roles and expectations of 17th-century women, exploring the tension between societal duties and personal freedom.
• Legacy: Offers an early feminist perspective, questioning the traditional views of marriage and advocating for women's independence.
• Modern Relevance: Encourages readers to reflect on contemporary marriage norms and women's autonomy.

Conclusion

Katherine Phillips’ poem "A Married State" presents a critique of 17th-century marriage conventions, celebrating female autonomy and questioning societal expectations. Its structured style, with deliberate meter and diction, aids in conveying a powerful message about the burdens of marriage and the value of independence for women. The poem stands as a testament to Phillips' influence as a pioneering female voice in English literature.

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