Andrew Marvell, The Unfortunate Lover

Graham Parry (University of York)
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Here we have one of Marvell’s most enigmatic poems. “The Unfortunate Lover” presents a series of tableaux or emblematic pictures that are vividly imagined yet challenge interpretation. The language of the poem is elevated and portentous. Grand events are being described, events that “make impression upon Time” and take place among wars and tempests. Yet the hero of the poem is a lover, albeit a lover whose beloved is never named, nor described. Something tremendous has happened, something verging on the apocalyptic, as “the rattling thunder” of the storm evokes “the fun’ral of the world”. The imagery of the poem is drawn from Petrarchan love poetry – the “tyrant Love”, the lover shipwrecked in the storms of passion, the rocks of fortitude or adversity, the sighs…

1631 words

Citation: Parry, Graham. "The Unfortunate Lover". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 15 February 2018 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=38829, accessed 28 March 2024.]

38829 The Unfortunate Lover 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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