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Cover of The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume VI

The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume VI

Written by Aphra Behn

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English poetry

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About this book

"The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume VI" by Aphra Behn is a collection of literary works, likely compiled in the late 19th century. This volume features various compositions, including "The Lover's Watch," "A Voyage to the Isle of Love," and miscellaneous poems that express themes of love and relationships. Behn's writing often portrays the dynamics of love, drawing upon her own experiences in the courtly context of her time. At the start of "The Lover's Watch," we meet two noble characters, Damon and Iris, who are deeply in love but separated by circumstances. The narrative unfolds with Iris's absences prompting Damon to express his affection through letters filled with longing and poetic sentiments. The unique concept introduced by Iris is the watch she sends him, which symbolizes how he should spend his time in her absence, filled with rules for lovers marked by the hours. Her watch not only serves to keep track of time but also serves as a guide for Damon's actions and thoughts while she is away, ultimately blending themes of love, distance, and desire in an engaging manner.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume VI, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • advanced
  • romantic
  • poetic
  • melancholy

Aphra Behn's "The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume VI" compiles a selection of her diverse literary output, likely from the late 19th century, featuring a blend of poetry and narrative works. Central to this volume is "The Lover's Watch," which explores the poignant dynamics of love and separation through the correspondence of noble lovers, Damon and Iris. The collection delves into themes of longing, desire, and the symbolic representation of time in relationships, often reflecting the courtly context of Behn's era. Through evocative language and structured narratives, Behn examines the emotional landscape of romantic attachment, particularly how absence can intensify affection and shape a lover's experience. This volume underscores Behn's pioneering voice in English literature, offering insight into 17th-century social mores and emotional complexities.

“"Oh, absence, cruel tyrant, how dost thou teach the heart to mourn, yet deepen the bonds of love!"”

Key themes

Love and Desire
This is the overarching theme of the volume, explored through various lenses. Behn delves into the passionate, often agonizing, nature of romantic love and intense desire. She portrays love as both an idealized emotion and a powerful force that dictates behavior, thought, and even the structuring of time. Her works examine the depth of attachment and the emotional landscape of lovers.
Separation and Longing
A central theme, particularly in "The Lover's Watch," which focuses on the emotional experience of lovers separated by circumstances. Behn vividly portrays the pain, yearning, and constant remembrance that define absence, and how individuals cope with and express this profound longing.
Time and Absence
This theme is ingeniously explored through the motif of the watch in "The Lover's Watch." Behn examines how time, usually a neutral measure, becomes imbued with emotional significance during absence. It is not just about the passing of hours but how those hours are 'spent' in devotion, remembrance, and anticipation, transforming time into a tangible expression of love.

Worth discussing

How does Behn use the symbolic watch in "The Lover's Watch" to explore themes of time, absence, and devotion?

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