17 pages • 34 minutes read
Robert HerrickThe Argument of His Book
Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1648A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
Creative Expression is Endless
Herrick’s poem “The Argument of His Book” is a tabulation by the speaker of all of the different topics about which they can write or sing. The repetition of “I sing” and “I write” emphasizes the creative abilities of the speaker, as singing and writing are considered artistic expressions. By listing all the different topics about which they sing and write, the speaker demonstrates their imaginative prowess. On one hand, they can write about nature: “brooks” (Line 1); “blossoms” (Line 1); “birds” (Line 1); “bowers” (Line 1); “flowers” (Line 2); “dews” (Line 7); “rains: (Line 7); “roses” (Line 10); “lilies” (Line 10); “groves” (Line 11); and “twilight” (Line 11). They can sing about celebrations and relationships: “May-poles” (Line 3); “hock-carts” (Line 3); “wassails” (Line 3); “wakes” (Line 3); “bridegrooms” (Line 4); “brides” (Line 4); “bridal-cakes” (Line 4); “youth” (Line 5); and “love” (Line 4). They also like to detail thoughts about luxury items or trade goods: “balm” (Line 8), “oil” (Line 8), “spice” (Line 8); “ambergris” (Line 8). They can weave both Christian and personified/mythological beings and places into their text: “the court of Mab” (Line 12); “the fairy king” (Line 12); “Time’s trans-shifting” (Line 9); “Hell” (Line 13) and “Heaven” (Line 14). The only thing connecting these different topics is the creativity the speaker uses to unite them with words through song and poetry. Through these different forms of artistic expression, the possibilities of combining topics through creative license are virtually endless.
God’s Divine Plan Pervades Everything
When Herrick was writing in the 17th century, the dominant faith was the Church of England, which is quite evident in his poem. Herrick was a trained cleric who served as a vicar in Devon, England. In the last two lines of the poem, Christian cosmology is referenced when the speaker alludes to “Hell” (Line 13) and “Heaven” (Line 14). This reference concludes the poem, placing the emphasis on the speaker’s “hope to have it all” (Line 14). Importance is placed on the eternal rest and peace provided by belief in the Christian God’s paradise. References to God and creation appear earlier in the poem, as well. Besides referencing all the natural elements, the speaker of the poem specifically implies that they will be discussing God’s divine plan. They state that they will write about “[h]ow roses first came red, and lilies white” (Line 10). This implies that the speaker will write about how things “came to be,” meaning creation. Since the poem originates in the context of the Church of England, the Christian story of creation from Genesis is that to which the speaker particularly alludes. Even earlier than this allusion, the speaker mentions “Time’s trans-shifting” (Line 9). The capitalization and personification of “Time” makes this abstract concept more of an entity readers can comprehend. There is the sense of time’s moving and changing. This notion, combined with the concept of creation, weaves throughout Herrick’s poem—just as God’s divine design pervades every aspect of life. God knows all periods of history as he has created all things.
Human Connection is Essential
Part of the list of items featured in “The Argument of His Book” are celebrations or other social events where individuals gather to share one another’s company and express joy. For example, “May-poles” and “hock-carts” (Line 3) are used in celebrations of spring and harvest, respectively. “Wassails” and “wakes” (Line 3) are gatherings of revelry and merry-making. “Bridegrooms,” “brides,” and “bridal-cakes” (Line 4) are all components of the marriage ceremony where the union of individuals and families is honored. During “youth” (Line 5), adolescents spend time growing and learning with one another as they go through life’s experiences together. And then there is “love” (Line 5)—the connection between two impassioned hearts. All of these different forms of human connection and congregation comprise the list of important elements that are part of God’s divine plan—part of the litany of crucial life experiences.
Since the poem ends with references to Heaven and Hell, both possible destinations one may arrive after death, Herrick’s speaker seems to be implying that humans should enjoy one another’s company while possible. At the end of life, one may not be able to enjoy the physical presence of loved ones, so these celebrations and times of community are precious. They should be enjoyed while they can.
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