Rochester vs. Behn
Although many men would assume that women's sexuality has arisen mostly in the past century, this could not be further from the truth. Women have been sexual creatures for nearly the same amount of time as men. Two poems, Rochester's "A Song" and Behn's "Amyntas Led Me to a Grove", are contrasting views on women's sexuality. Rochester portrays women as creatures for men to do with as they please, not having to worry about what the woman wants or if she even enjoys herself. Behn, on the other hand, believes that women want sex and pleasure just as badly as men. I agree with Behn in her belief that women are equally as sexual as men in every way. "A Song", by John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, is at first thought to be a pastoral style poem. However, further dissection of the stanzas and lines reveals a complicated piece of work about seduction with multiple interpretations. The opening lines tell of a nymph lying under a willow. A young shepherd approaches her and she immediately blushes. Rochester never says why she blushes so, but some possible reasons could be she is nude or attracted to the shepherd. She attempts to leave, but the "swain" pulls her back to the ground. At this time, her heart begins to race and passion
Besides their different views on sexuality, one can draw many comparisons between the two poems. In both, the woman is seen as a helpless little angel who has no say in what is going to happen. The difference between the two is that in "A Song" the woman literally has no say, whether or not the man continues is all that matters. On the other hand, the woman in "Amyntas Led Me to a Grove" has a choice, and even though she gives off the sense that she is powerless, she is in full control and goes along with Amyntas because she has the same wants as he. In "A Song" the nymph's heart eventually overcomes her weariness, and she succumbs completely to the shepherd. In "Amyntas Led Me to a Grove" the woman is already willing to consider what is going to happen, and with several games and kisses, succumbs as well. The difference between the submission of the two women is that in "A Song" the nymph needs much "convincing", showing Rochester's idea that women are not sexual beings. In "Amyntas Led Me to a Grove" the woman needs little if no reinforcement in her mind. Her only duty was to decide if she wanted to do so. This portrays Behn's belief that women are sexual beings and can make their own choices as far as sex goes. Depending on one's interpretation of "Ah! Let me-for unless you please, I have no power to rise" another similarity can be drawn. If you allow those lines to be spoken by the nymph, neither Amyntas nor the shepherd speaks any words in the poems. This exemplifies the men as the aggressors in the sexual partnership. However, in "A Song" the shepherd is a little more forceful than Amyntas in "ALMTAG". His lack of speech is made up for by his actions. The woman's pre-existing wanting of the sexual act makes up for the lack of talking in "ALMTAG". fills her veins. Rochester portrays her as a helpless girl who has no choice in the matter, yet is excited by his forcefulness and puts up minimal resistance. The nymph states "Ah, Youth! What charms are these, that con
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Approximate Word count = 1352
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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