THE EPHEMERAL NATURE OF BEAUTY AND TIME IN CAVALIER POETRY
Keywords:
Keywords: Cavalier poetry, fleeting beauty, carpe diem, impermanence, seventeenth-century England, human desire, moral reflection, lyrical techniques, temporal awareness, poetic tradition.Abstract
This study investigates the themes of transience, temporal beauty, and the
fleeting nature of life in Cavalier poetry, a prominent literary movement of early
seventeenth-century England. Poets such as Robert Herrick, Richard Lovelace, and
Thomas Carew frequently emphasize the impermanence of youth, physical charm, and
worldly pleasures, reflecting the cultural and philosophical concerns of their era.
Through detailed analysis, the research explores how carpe diem motifs, striking
imagery, and lyrical techniques convey the inevitability of aging and the urgency of
embracing life’s fleeting joys. The study also considers the tension between moral
conduct and indulgence in aesthetic and sensual pleasures, demonstrating the poets’
sophisticated approach to human desires and ethical considerations. By comparing
several works within the Cavalier tradition, the paper identifies recurring stylistic traits,
including clarity of language, musicality, and rhetorical elegance, which enhance the
poems’ emotional resonance and persuasive effect. Ultimately, this research shows that
Cavalier poetry not only celebrates the pleasures of life but also meditates on mortality
and the passage of time. It reflects the broader social, cultural, and philosophical
currents of seventeenth-century England, making it a valuable resource for
understanding contemporary attitudes toward beauty, time, and human experience.
References
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