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Poetry Comparison Between 'a Woman to Her Lover' and 'a Married State'

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'A Woman to Her Lover' by Christina Walsh and 'A Married State' by Katherine Philips examines the role and position of women in marriage in the 17th century.
'A Woman to Her Lover' is written in four stanzas of irregular length and in free verse. This is indicative of the poet's reluctance to conform to the conventions of her day regarding marriage and poetry.

In the first stanza she speaks to her lover in a forthright tone indicating confidence. The use of a question and her own reply captures the readers interest. The poet uses war imagery, 'conquerer', 'vanquished', 'bondslave' which conveys the idea that man is the enemy. The poet also holds a dim view of her lover's expectations and intentions.
'To make me a bondslave
To bear you children, wearing out of my life'
Many men would expect this of their wives in this period of time. The use of caesura after 'children' balances the two ideas. If she bears him children, paradoxically it would erode her own life. She is resentful. The alliteration in this stanza 'bend', 'bondslave', 'bear' reinforces her resentment and scorn towards her lover. At this point she dismisses conventional marriage 'O lover I refuse you!'. The use of an exclamation mark reinforces the strength of her conviction.

Again in the second stanza she addresses her lover directly and is critical of men who treat women as objects of desire and perfection. 'I am no doll to dress'. She is referring to men who believe women are used for amusement and are not taken seriously or treated as an equal. She uses the metaphor 'wingless angel' which suggests the entrapment of women by men. Alliteration used conveys the softness with which men view women 'wed, word, wish, wingless, worship' and is harshly contrasted with her use of 'Go!'. The poet maintains her resentment towards any conventional marriage.

In the third stanza she maintains the

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