What do
you consider to be the major theme in ‘Love Armed’? Discuss.
Aphra
Behn’s poem ‘Love Armed’ is about someone and the "you" individual.
Someone has had their heart broken by the "you." The "you” is
incapable of returning love. Thus, two kinds of love are in competition--love
given freely and love of self. "You” obviously uses love of self as a
weapon. The deity called LOVE is strengthened by both kinds of love as the
deity is a combination of the traits of both kinds of love.
This is an example of unrequited love. One gives
love unconditionally; one uses that love as an instrument of cruelty. The first
is obviously aware that their love is not returned; the second is vain and
cruel and incapable of love. The deity of love created reflects the misery and
hurt of the first and the cruelty of "you." Love, which can bring happiness and joy, can also cause vastly more grief and pain if it is not acknowledged or returned. This is obvious in the role of a cruel deity presiding gloating over what has happened in this one-side love relationship.
