Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The poem, "Howe comely hath Godde made her be," exhibits a devout admiration for a woman's beauty through the lens of spiritual appreciation. This work can be interpreted as a praise poem that extols the virtues and physical beauty of the subject as a divine creation. The speaker situates his awe and admiration in a theological framework, emphasizing that it's God who has made her so irresistibly beautiful. The language is archaic, underlining its historical period, and resonates with the traditional poetic forms, such as the refrain, to emphasize the circularity and relentlessness of his infatuation.

The opening lines create an immediate sense of awe, setting the tone for the rest of the poem. "Howe comely hath Godde made her be," the speaker says, attributing her beauty not just to nature but to divine craftsmanship. "Gracióus and goode and fair of moulde," he elaborates, laying out the virtues that make her not only physically captivating but also spiritually magnetic. The word "moulde" suggests she has been shaped or crafted, again underscoring the idea of divine creation.

This focus on divine attribution aligns the poem with the spiritual ideologies of its likely historical period, wherein a beautiful woman was often viewed as a manifestation of God's perfection on Earth. The line, "Must prayse her soul's consistencie," serves to elevate the discourse from a mere admiration of physical beauty to a more spiritual realm, underlining the synthesis of both physical and spiritual beauty in her being.

As the poem progresses, the speaker articulates the notion that her beauty is not just personal but universal. "For who could tire of such as she / Whose lovelinesse doth aye unfolde?" he asks rhetorically. The word "aye" implies a timeless, ever-expanding quality to her loveliness. Here, love and admiration become an endless journey, as the beauty of the beloved is like an infinitely unfolding narrative.

The speaker further universalizes his sentiment when he claims, "Nor can I fynde by lande or sea, / Or virgin maid or matron olde / As doth such perfect graces holde." Here, he makes a sweeping comparison, pitting her against all women, both young and old, and finds none who can rival her graces. The lines denote the lengths to which his awe stretches: it crosses terrains and times, seeking a match but finding none.

In the closing line, "The thought of her is dream to me," the poem achieves a poignant elevation. The speaker confesses that even contemplating her becomes a dream-like state for him, suggesting that her beauty transcends reality, converting the earthly into the ethereal.

In sum, this poem is a fascinating study of a man's reverence for a woman's beauty, transcending physicality to reach spiritual heights. It effectively engages with religious sentiment, demonstrating how the wonders of earthly love can be construed as divine manifestations. The speaker, while captivated by her beauty, finds himself equally enthralled by the notion that such beauty could only be the work of a higher power.

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