Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Lover's Anger" is a poem by Matthew Prior, first published in 1709. 

The poem "A Lover's Anger" is a meditation on the nature of love and anger. The speaker is a lover who is angry with his beloved for her infidelity, but who is also torn by his love for her. The poem takes the form of a monologue, with the speaker addressing his beloved directly.

The poem is written in rhyming couplets (AA BB CC, etc.), which contribute to its musicality and sense of formality. The use of formal language and poetic devices such as alliteration and metaphor also contribute to the poem's poetic elegance.

The central theme of the poem is the complexity of love and the emotional turmoil that it can create. The speaker's anger is juxtaposed with his love for his beloved, creating a sense of tension and conflict that is reflected in the poem's formal structure.

Despite its emotional intensity, "A Lover's Anger" is also a highly controlled and self-conscious work. The speaker is acutely aware of the conventions of love poetry, and his language is highly stylized and refined. This self-consciousness serves to underscore the poem's theme of the tension between passion and reason.

In conclusion, "A Lover's Anger" is a poem by Matthew Prior that explores the complexity of love and the emotional turmoil that it can create. The poem's use of formal language and poetic devices contribute to its elegant and controlled tone, while its central theme of the tension between passion and reason ensures its enduring relevance as a work of love poetry.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...