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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

THE LADY'S LOOKING-GLASS, by                 Poet's Biography

"The Lady's Looking-Glass" is a poem by Matthew Prior that was first published in 1700. The poem explores themes of beauty, aging, and the passage of time, using the metaphor of a mirror to reflect on these themes. 

The poem is written in rhyming couplets (AA BB CC, etc.), which contributes to its musicality and sense of formality. The use of formal language and the structure of the poem also contribute to its reflective and introspective tone.

The central theme of the poem is the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of aging. The mirror is used as a metaphor for the passage of time, reflecting not only physical changes but also changes in the lady's personality and character. The poem suggests that beauty is temporary and that what is truly important is the inner character of the individual.

The poem makes use of poetic devices such as imagery, personification, and metaphor to enhance its reflective tone. The use of imagery, particularly in descriptions of the lady's physical appearance, emphasizes the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of aging. The personification of the mirror as a "monitor" and a "judge" emphasizes its role as a reflection of the lady's true character, beyond mere physical appearance. The metaphor of the mirror also serves to emphasize the poem's themes of introspection and self-reflection.

In addition to its exploration of beauty and aging, the poem also explores themes of gender and power. The lady's power is derived from her beauty, and the poem suggests that this power is ultimately transient and illusory. The poem critiques the societal expectations placed on women to conform to narrow standards of beauty and suggests that true value lies beyond mere physical appearance.

In conclusion, "The Lady's Looking-Glass" is a reflective poem by Matthew Prior that explores themes of beauty, aging, and the passage of time. The use of poetic devices such as rhyme, imagery, and metaphor enhance the poem's reflective tone and contribute to its critique of societal expectations placed on women. The poem suggests that true value lies beyond physical appearance and that what is truly important is the inner character of the individual.


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