Poems and Fancies (1653) Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

1 poems , fancies (1653)

1.1 cavendish s authorial intent
1.2 epistle dedicatory
1.3 mental spinning
1.4 pursuit of fame
1.5 defence of writing , fame
1.6 language, knowledge , error
1.7 writing pass time
1.8 instruction on comprehension , judgement
1.9 poems: excuses , instructions

poems , fancies (1653)

poems , fancies collection of poems, epistles, , prose, written cavendish on variety of themes. topics included natural philosophy, atoms, nature personified, macro/microcosms, other worlds, death, battle, hunting, love, honour, , fame. poems @ times take form of dialogues between such things earth , darkness, oak , man cutting down, melancholy , mirth, , peace , war. noted mistress toppe (see below), formerly elizabeth chaplain , cavendish s maid, cavendish s writings took form of poetical fiction, moral instruction, philosophical opinion, dialogue, discourses , poetical romances. poems , fancies included animal parliament, prose piece consisting largely of speeches , letters. collection concludes cavendish s thoughts on writing , advertisement promoting 1 of future publications.

cavendish s authorial intent

cavendish concluded collection stating aware did not write elegantly , phrasing , placement of words criticized. said had difficulty creating rhymes communicate intended meaning. in short, cavendish stated strove keep meaning @ expense of elegance, aim communicate ideas. noted expected work criticized not being useful. in response, stated wrote not instruct readers in arts, sciences or divinity, pass time, asserting made better use of time many others. cavendish returned these assertions throughout epistles , poems.

epistle dedicatory

like authors such aphra behn , william wordsworth, cavendish revealed intended audience, writing purpose , philosophy in prefaces, prologues, epilogues , epistles reader. cavendish wrote several epistle dedications poems , fancies. epistles justifications of writing both in terms of decision write @ time when women writers not encouraged , in terms of subject choice. cavendish used epistles instruct readers how ought read , respond poetry, inviting praise supporters , requesting silence did not work. cavendish commonly used epistles call attention , excuse potential weaknesses in writing. epistles directed specific audiences , varied accordingly.

the following account of several of cavendish s epistles poems , fancies.

mental spinning

in epistle dedication sir charles cavendish, brother in law, cavendish compared writing poetry spinning , described poetry mental spinning. noted while commonly thought more appropriate women spin write, herself better @ writing. 1 of several occasions cavendish calls attention stereotypical gender roles, such belief women should spin , not write, , expands upon reasons not adhering them. in epistle, cavendish employed metaphors describe writing in terms of stereotypically feminine tasks or interests, such spinning, fashion, , motherhood. while cavendish criticized own work, asserted seem better if sir charles cavendish looked favorably upon it. cavendish appealed reader applaud work, asserting if received improved. conclude complimenting charles charity , generosity.

the pursuit of fame

in epistle noble , worthy ladies, in many of epistles, cavendish straightforwardly expressed desire fame. cavendish stated not concerned best people writing, long many people did. justified linking fame noise , noise great numbers of people. cavendish assumed defensive position in epistles, here justified assertion expected critiques males , females not on writing, on practice of writing itself, women writers not encouraged. cavendish argued women busy writing not act inappropriately or gossip. though anticipated criticism females, calls female support might gain honour , reputation. closed stating if should fail, see herself being martyred cause of women.

defence of writing , fame

in epistle mistress toppe, cavendish stated main reason writing desire fame. again, cavendish acknowledged writing digression accepted gender norms , asked acceptance. while cavendish spoke of writing in metaphors of domestic or stereotypically feminine activities, here attempted excuse desire fame distancing ambition feminine. described ambition quest glory, perfection, , praise, which, stated, not effeminate. further, pointed out while writing , pursuing fame had remained modest , honourable , noted had done nothing dishonour family. cavendish attributed confidence, in describes time of censor, belief there no evil, innocence in desire fame. writing without permission, cavendish excused herself stating easier pardon after fact obtain permission before. privileged writing on gossiping, treated common , negative female activity. considered writing comparatively harmless pastime. credited books tangible examples of contemplation , contrasted self-proclaimed harmless ideas wild thoughts which, stated, led indiscreet actions.

cavendish explored writing closet dramas during exile , became 1 of known women play writes due interest in philosophical nature.

a response mistress toppe follows epistle in poems , fancies, in toppe praised cavendish , skill in poetical fiction, moral instruction, philosophical opinion, dialogue, discourses , poetical romances.

language, knowledge , error

cavendish included prefatory letter natural philosophers. cavendish stated did not know languages except english, , knowledge of english limited, since familiar spoke. in other words, downplayed knowledge of technical vocabulary used natural philosophers. thus, said, lacked knowledge of opinions , discourses precede own. dismissed errors might make trivial, asserting did not mean text taken truth. rather, wrote pass time , expected work read same purpose. epistle contained explanation writing in verse. stated poets thought write fiction, , fiction aligned pastime, not truth. verse, then, expected contain errors. cavendish lamented work not more entertaining , advised readers skip part of book did not like.

writing pass time

in epistle reader, cavendish stated no children and, @ time, no estate, had lot of spare time. she, therefore, did not engage in housewifery, filled time writing. stated husbandry in poetry ordered fancy composed of fine language, proper phrases , significant words. cavendish excused errors might found in work due youth , inexperience, , explained wrote distract herself thoughts of husband s , own hardships. comparing book child, said book/child innocent, young, well-behaved, bashful , sensitive, , requested reader blame her, author/mother, not book, if did not it. if, however, book liked, made clear expected fame.

instruction on comprehension , judgement

in epistle poets, cavendish noted since women seldom wrote, own act of writing might ridiculed, strange , unusual seem fantastical, fantastical seems odd, , odd seems ridiculous. requested work judged reason, not prejudice. excused weaknesses in poetry stating wrote away melancholy thoughts , fill idle time. employed food/feasting metaphor , stated poems not ripe, applause , praise make them pass general feast of vulgar taste take quantity on quality. typical in writing, applause welcomed , criticism censored, advises did not poetry keep silent. stated hers poems of fancy , thereby required study. recommended 1 troubled conscience ought minister guidance, should reader ask poet in understanding poems. attempting once again guide reader positive reception of book, cavendish drew distinction between poets (able judges of poetry) , rhymers (faulty judges of poetry) , advised people not book nonsense or poorly constructed out of own ignorance , malice. returning again desire fame, cavendish noted if honest poet, not envious, judged work, receive applause.

cavendish asked reader read fancies (poems) slowly, paying attention every word, because every word fancy itself. warned if readers lost place or missed lines, miss meaning of entire work.

poems: excuses , instructions

cavendish followed of epistles poems instructed reader how poems came published , how should received. proximity of poems epistles , similarity in subject , tone, suggests may interpreted being written cavendish’s own point of view.

the poem poetresses hasty resolution, many of cavendish’s epistles, contained excuses errors might found in poet’s work , begged praise. in poem, poet stated self-love influenced judgement of own poetry, found liked moved continue writing in hope of fame. said wrote without thought how work received critics. poet recalled how visited reason advised stop writing. reason told her writing waste of time, work not received , should not have work printed printer not lose money. reason informed poet there many books , should burn had written spare world more. poet noted angry response , stated sent book press before persuaded otherwise. in hindsight, however, regretted actions. informing reader felt shamed writing, poet told reader pity , wipe away tears praise.

in poetresses petition, compared negative reception books death. if books suffered such death (i.e. criticism), requested silence , forgotten, without altar or inscriptions, , left undisturbed unless new merit found in them. again, cavendish censor criticism , promote fame, instructing positive criticism should voiced.

in apology writing upon book, compared book child , compared book/child , author/parent birds. book, stated, baby bird going out on own. author, parent bird, unsure whether or not book/baby bird safe , wrote/chirped in attempt protect it.