The Definition of Love

BY ANDREW MARVELL

My love is of a birth as rare

As ’tis for object strange and high;
It was begotten by Despair
Upon Impossibility.

Magnanimous Despair alone

Could show me so divine a thing
Where feeble Hope could ne’er have flown,
But vainly flapp’d its tinsel wing.

And yet I quickly might arrive

Where my extended soul is fixt,
But Fate does iron wedges drive,
And always crowds itself betwixt.

For Fate with jealous eye does see

Two perfect loves, nor lets them close;
Their union would her ruin be,
And her tyrannic pow’r depose.

And therefore her decrees of steel

Us as the distant poles have plac’d,
(Though love’s whole world on us doth wheel)
Not by themselves to be embrac’d;

Unless the giddy heaven fall,

And earth some new convulsion tear;
And, us to join, the world should all
Be cramp’d into a planisphere.

As lines, so loves oblique may well

Themselves in every angle greet;
But ours so truly parallel,
Though infinite, can never meet.

Therefore the love which us doth bind,

But Fate so enviously debars,
Is the conjunction of the mind,
And opposition of the stars.

Andrew Marvell’s “The Definition of Love”:

1. First Stanza:
o The speaker introduces their love as rare and unique, born from despair and
impossibility.
o The beloved is described as “strange and high,” emphasizing their
extraordinary nature.
o The theme of unattainable love is established, setting the tone for the entire
poem.
2. Second Stanza:
o “Magnanimous Despair” is personified, suggesting that intense despair can
reveal divine truths.
o The speaker contrasts Despair with feeble Hope, which fails to grasp the depth
of their love.
o The phrase “tinsel wing” conveys the fragility of Hope’s efforts.
3. Third Stanza:
o The speaker expresses a longing to be with their beloved, but fate intervenes.
o Fate is portrayed as an unyielding force, driving “iron wedges” between them.
o The extended soul yearns for union, but fate “crowds itself betwixt.”
4. Fourth Stanza:
o Fate is watchful and jealous, preventing the union of two perfect loves.
o Their love threatens Fate’s power, and the speaker imagines overthrowing it.
o The stanza highlights the tension between fate and love.
5. Fifth Stanza:
 o Fate’s decrees are like steel, unyielding and inflexible.
o The speaker and their beloved are placed like distant poles, unable to embrace.
o Love’s vastness (“love’s whole world”) cannot overcome this separation.
6. Sixth Stanza:
o The speaker imagines cosmic upheaval—only if heaven falls and earth tears
apart.
o The world compressing into a “planisphere” symbolizes the magnitude
required for their union.
o The parallel lines metaphor persists: their love remains true but never
intersects.
7. Seventh Stanza:
o The possibility of other loves intersecting (“oblique”) contrasts with their
parallel love.
o Despite infinite possibilities, their love remains unattainable.
o The stars, representing fate, keep them apart.
8. Eighth Stanza:
o Fate’s envy prevents their union, enforcing separation.
o The conjunction of minds is significant, even when physical closeness is
denied.
o The opposition of stars underscores their cosmic predicament.

In summary, “The Definition of Love” explores the paradox of love existing beyond
physical boundaries, defying fate, and transcending earthly limitations. Marvell’s
intricate metaphors and philosophical musings make this poem a timeless exploration

of human emotion. 🌟 .

Historical Context / Literary Period

Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) was a poet and politician in the 17th century, a time marked by
political upheaval and civil war in England. He is often associated with the Metaphysical
poets, a group known for their use of complex imagery and intricate metaphors. Metaphysical
poetry, prominent in the early 17th century, is characterized by its intellectual playfulness,
witty wordplay, and elaborate conceits.

Marvell's poem embodies these elements, with its paradoxical arguments and focus on the
tension between earthly desire and spiritual love. However, the consistent form and emphasis
on reason hint at the emerging Neoclassical ideals.
A Love Divided: Summary and Connection to the Period

‘The Definition of Love’ by Andrew Marvell talks about the nature of love, which exists
between the poet and his beloved. The poet regards this love as being perfect and therefore
unattainable. In the poem, the poet, first of all, makes his readers acquainted with the
parentage of this love. This love, the poet says, is of rare birth. It is the offspring of the
marriage of “Despair/ upon Impossibility.” Only resolute Despair could have produced such
divine love. In the case of a love like this, “Hope” would prove to be utterly vain and futile
because this love can never be achieved.

The poet in the next lines tells that it is the hostility of “Fate” which is responsible for not
permitting him and his beloved to be united. It has placed the two lovers apart like the “North
Pole” and the “South Pole”. The love can be fulfilled only if the spinning spheres collapse
and if the earth is torn asunder by some violent convulsion. For the inability to come close to
his beloved, he defines his love as “the conjunction of the mind”, and “opposition of the
stars.”

The poem depicts a love tragically thwarted by fate. The speaker, far from despairing, argues
that their impossible love is superior. This aligns with the Metaphysical exploration of
paradox and the tension between earthly desire and spiritual fulfillment. However, the poem
also reflects the Neoclassical emphasis on order with its use of a structured form and focus on
reason in defining love.

Unveiling the Heart: Subject Matter and Thematic Focus

The central theme is the paradoxical nature of love. The speaker argues that true love thrives
on impossibility, dictated by fate rather than personal choice. This challenges the
conventional view of love as attainable through courtship. Other themes include the power of
fate, the frustration of unfulfilled desire, and the intellectual connection between lovers.

The Tools of the Trade: Effectiveness of Poetic Devices

 Extended Metaphor (Parallel Lines): The lovers are compared to parallel lines that
"never meet," a powerful image signifying their destined separation. This
mathematical metaphor reflects the intellectual approach to love and emphasizes the
impossibility of their union.
 Personification: Fate is personified as a jealous force ("Fate...grown tyrannous")
adding depth and drama to the conflict. This personalizes the obstacle, making it a
more tangible antagonist for the speaker's love.
 Paradox: The speaker claims his love is "born of despair" and "the offspring of such
a mother." This paradox is central to the poem, highlighting the poem's exploration of
love's contradictory nature.
The Architect's Blueprint: Significance of Poetic Form

 The poem is a Petrarchan sonnet, a traditional form with a specific rhyme scheme
(ABBAABBA CDECDE or CDCDCD EFEFE) and octave-sestet structure. This
structure reflects the poem's theme. The octave explores the problem of unfulfilled
love, while the sestet offers a paradoxical definition. The form lends a sense of order
and control amidst the emotional turmoil.
 The Music of the Soul: Significance of Rhyme and Rhythm
 The consistent iambic pentameter (five metrical feet with an unstressed syllable
followed by a stressed syllable) creates a steady rhythm that reflects the speaker's
intellectual approach to love. The use of a closed form (sonnet) with a regular rhyme
scheme further emphasizes the tension between passionate desire for union and the
control exerted by reason.

Shades of Gray: Mood and Tone

The mood is one of melancholic resignation. The speaker accepts his fate but remains
emotionally invested in his impossible love. The tone is intellectual and analytical, using wit
and paradox to explore the complexities of love. This creates a distance, mirroring the
speaker's own attempt to control his emotions through reason.

A Personal Connection: Reader's Response

Marvell's poem offers a unique perspective on love. It challenges the notion of happily-ever-
after and explores the bittersweet beauty of unfulfilled desire. The poem's intellectual
approach may not resonate with everyone, but the underlying emotional honesty and the
power of the imagery make it a thought-provoking exploration of a universal human
experience.

For some, the poem might evoke a sense of empathy for the speaker's plight. Others might
find his justifications for his suffering unconvincing. Ultimately, the poem invites the reader
to contemplate the nature of love and its relationship with fate and free will.

Beyond the Surface: Further Exploration

 The Paradox of Impossibility: Delve deeper into how the speaker justifies the notion
that "despair" strengthens their love. Is it a genuine belief, or a coping mechanism for
his pain?
 The Role of Fate: Explore how the concept of fate resonates with the Metaphysical
exploration of free will vs. predestination. Is fate a cruel deity, or a force that protects
a greater order?
 The Gender Dynamics: The poem is silent about the beloved. Is this intentional?
Does it highlight the speaker's intellectualization of love, or is there a social context
(e.g., arranged marriages) influencing the portrayal?