"The Disappointment" is a poem written by Aphra Behn. It was first published in 1680 (see 1680 in poetry) in the Earl of Rochester'sPoems on Several Occasions[1] and originally was believed to be Rochester’s own work. However, four years later, the poem was re-published in Aphra Behn’s Poems on Several Occasions and she received proper credit.[2]
Lysander, a shepherd, attempts to rape Cloris, a maid. After a lengthy attempt, Lysander is unable to perform and leaves Cloris escapes (the last line of the poem refers to "the Hell of Impotence", though one interpretation of the earlier line "Th' Insensible fell weeping in his Hands" is that he prematurely ejaculates[3][4]). Behn's focus on the female sexual experience is unusual for the time,[3] though not unusual for Behn. Behn often dealt with overt sexuality in her writing, but this perspective often was not accepted by the public until well after her death.[1]
Themes
"The Disappointment" is grouped with other male 'imperfect enjoyment' poems, where a male's failing is attributed to female beauty.[3][4] Rather than focus on explaining Lysander's failure, Behn is concerned with Cloris's disappointment, as the title of the poem illustrates.[3] Another interesting aspect of the poem is the way Aphra Behn personifies honor and shame as existing externally from Cloris[5] as if honor “abandons” her of its own free will, and shame replaces it without Cloris’ consent.
Critical reception
Though many critics disliked Behn’s work during her lifetime,[1] Aphra Behn today is lauded as one of the most influential women writers. Virginia Woolf in A Room of One’s Own stated that all women owe a debt to Aphra Behn, who “earned them the right to speak their minds”.[6] Today, Aphra Behn is credited with being a proto-feminist, and her works are studied as some of the most important works written by women during the time period.[1]
References
^ abcdBehn, Aphra (2006). "The Disappointment". In Joseph Black; et al. (eds.). The Broadview Anthology of British Literature: Volume 3 The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century. Ontario: Broadview Press. pp. 140–142.
^ abcdMunns, Jessica (1996). "'But the touch were soft': pleasure, power, and impotence in 'The Disappointment' and 'The Golden Age.'". In Janet Todd (ed.). Aphra Behn Studies. New York: Cambridge University Press. pp. 178–196.
^ abLancashire, Ian (9 September 2002). "Commentary". Representative Poetry Online. University of Toronto Libraries. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
^Sexton, Timothy (3 January 2008). "The Disappointment: Aphra Behn's Obsession with Desire, Shame and Honor". Yahoo! Voices.
^Woolf, Virginia (1989). A Room of One's Own. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
External links
"The Disappointment". Poetry Archive.
February 12, 2023
disappointment, aphra, behn, disappointment, poem, written, aphra, behn, first, published, 1680, 1680, poetry, earl, rochester, poems, several, occasions, originally, believed, rochester, work, however, four, years, later, poem, published, aphra, behn, poems, . The Disappointment is a poem written by Aphra Behn It was first published in 1680 see 1680 in poetry in the Earl of Rochester s Poems on Several Occasions 1 and originally was believed to be Rochester s own work However four years later the poem was re published in Aphra Behn s Poems on Several Occasions and she received proper credit 2 Contents 1 Summary 2 Themes 3 Critical reception 4 References 5 External linksSummary EditLysander a shepherd attempts to rape Cloris a maid After a lengthy attempt Lysander is unable to perform and leaves Cloris escapes the last line of the poem refers to the Hell of Impotence though one interpretation of the earlier line Th Insensible fell weeping in his Hands is that he prematurely ejaculates 3 4 Behn s focus on the female sexual experience is unusual for the time 3 though not unusual for Behn Behn often dealt with overt sexuality in her writing but this perspective often was not accepted by the public until well after her death 1 Themes Edit The Disappointment is grouped with other male imperfect enjoyment poems where a male s failing is attributed to female beauty 3 4 Rather than focus on explaining Lysander s failure Behn is concerned with Cloris s disappointment as the title of the poem illustrates 3 Another interesting aspect of the poem is the way Aphra Behn personifies honor and shame as existing externally from Cloris 5 as if honor abandons her of its own free will and shame replaces it without Cloris consent Critical reception EditThough many critics disliked Behn s work during her lifetime 1 Aphra Behn today is lauded as one of the most influential women writers Virginia Woolf in A Room of One s Own stated that all women owe a debt to Aphra Behn who earned them the right to speak their minds 6 Today Aphra Behn is credited with being a proto feminist and her works are studied as some of the most important works written by women during the time period 1 References Edit a b c d Behn Aphra 2006 The Disappointment In Joseph Black et al eds The Broadview Anthology of British Literature Volume 3 The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century Ontario Broadview Press pp 140 142 The Disappointment at Poetry Archive a b c d Munns Jessica 1996 But the touch were soft pleasure power and impotence in The Disappointment and The Golden Age In Janet Todd ed Aphra Behn Studies New York Cambridge University Press pp 178 196 a b Lancashire Ian 9 September 2002 Commentary Representative Poetry Online University of Toronto Libraries Retrieved 8 August 2009 Sexton Timothy 3 January 2008 The Disappointment Aphra Behn s Obsession with Desire Shame and Honor Yahoo Voices Woolf Virginia 1989 A Room of One s Own San Diego Harcourt Brace Jovanovich External links Edit The Disappointment Poetry Archive Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Disappointment Aphra Behn amp oldid 1025242983, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
