Analysis of "Go, Lovely Rose"

"Go, Lovely Rose" was written in the early 17th century, when the Cavalier poets, including Waller, were prominent figures in English literature. The Cavaliers were known for their loyalty to the monarchy of Charles I during the English Civil War (1642-1651), and their poetry often reflected the values of the aristocracy—elegance, refinement, and a focus on themes like love and beauty.

Historical and Literary Context

The poem's emphasis on the fleeting nature of beauty and the importance of seizing the moment reflects the carpe diem theme popular in Cavalier poetry. This theme was partly a response to the uncertainties of the time, including political turmoil and the awareness of mortality, which made the pleasures of the present moment seem especially precious. On another level, the theme of seizing the day also emerged to glorify the English monarchy and emphasize that those who followed Charles I could better take advantage of social, economic, and political opportunities to accrue wealth, pursue women, and achieve material success. 

Waller's poem can also be seen within the context of the Petrarchan tradition, which idealized female beauty and often portrayed the poet's love as unrequited. However, Waller's tone is more direct and less idealizing, reflecting a shift towards a more realistic and immediate engagement with themes of love and beauty. While Petrarchan poetry often places the beloved on a pedestal, Waller's approach suggests a more urgent and pragmatic view of beauty, emphasizing the need to appreciate it before it fades.

Form and Structure

The poem comprises four quintains (five-line stanzas), with an ABABB rhyme scheme in each stanza. This alternating rhyme scheme is simple yet effective, contributing to the poem's polished and harmonious structure. The consistent use of iambic meter, where a stressed syllable follows an unstressed syllable, creates a rhythmic and flowing quality that complements the poem's lyrical and contemplative tone. This musicality enhances the poem's appeal as a piece meant to be read aloud, reflecting the Cavaliers' appreciation for elegance and refinement.

Detailed Analysis of the Stanzas

The poem opens with a direct address to the rose, which the speaker sends as a messenger to a woman he admires. The rose, a classic symbol of beauty and love, is instructed to tell the woman about the fleeting nature of her own beauty. The speaker's message is clear: just as the rose's beauty is temporary, so is the woman's. The rose serves as both a compliment and a warning, urging the woman to appreciate and make the most of her youth and beauty before it fades.

In the second stanza, the speaker continues to draw parallels between the rose and the woman. 

Tell her that's young,

And shuns to have her graces spied,

That hadst thou sprung

In deserts, where no men abide,

Thou must have uncommended died.

The rose, which blossoms only briefly, becomes a metaphor for the woman's beauty. The speaker suggests that, like the rose, the woman's beauty is destined to wither, and he encourages her not to waste the precious time she has. The urgency in the speaker's tone reflects the carpe diem tradition, making the case that since time is fleeting, people should take advantage of the moment.

The third stanza emphasizes that beauty is meant to be witnessed and "admired." Essentially, by remaining aloof and reserved, the woman wastes the speaker's time and her own beauty, which is rendered "small" in "worth" if it cannot be seen. While perhaps intended as a compliment, this sentiment also objectifies the woman, implying that her worth is derived from external recognition and validation. Furthermore, it does not...