Ah! what can mean that eager joy

Aphra Behn's Ah! what can mean that eager joy

Aphra Behn, often regarded as one of the first professional female writers in English literature, occupies a unique place in the literary canon of the late 17th century. Her works, which span poetry, plays, and prose, are celebrated for their bold exploration of themes such as love, desire, gender, and power. "Ah! what can mean that eager joy" is a quintessential example of her poetic voice, blending personal intimacy with a broader commentary on the complexities of human emotion. Written during the Restoration period, a time of cultural and political upheaval in England, the poem reflects both the constraints and the liberatory possibilities of its era. Through its exploration of love, vulnerability, and the dynamics of power in relationships, the poem resonates with timeless emotional and psychological depth.

Historical and Cultural Context

To fully appreciate Behn’s poem, it is essential to situate it within its historical and cultural milieu. The Restoration period (1660–1688) was marked by a resurgence of the arts following the Puritan Interregnum, during which theatrical performances and many forms of artistic expression were suppressed. The Restoration brought with it a renewed interest in classical themes, pastoral imagery, and the exploration of human passions, particularly in the context of courtly and romantic relationships. Behn, as a woman navigating a male-dominated literary world, often infused her works with a subversive edge, challenging societal norms and expectations.

In "Ah! what can mean that eager joy," Behn employs the pastoral tradition, a popular literary mode of the time, to explore the tension between idealized love and the realities of human vulnerability. The poem’s reference to "Strephon," a conventional name for a shepherd in pastoral poetry, situates it within this tradition. However, Behn’s treatment of the pastoral is far from conventional. Rather than idealizing rural simplicity or romantic innocence, she uses the pastoral framework to delve into the complexities of emotional experience, particularly from a female perspective. This subversion of traditional pastoral tropes is characteristic of Behn’s work and reflects her broader commitment to challenging gendered assumptions about love and desire.

Themes and Emotional Impact

At its core, "Ah! what can mean that eager joy" is a meditation on the transformative power of love and the vulnerability it entails. The speaker’s emotional turmoil is palpable from the opening lines, as she grapples with the intensity of her feelings for Strephon. The poem captures the paradoxical nature of love: it is both a source of joy and a cause of profound unease. The speaker’s "eager joy" is tempered by her awareness of her own vulnerability, as evidenced by her blushes and the "something too tender at [her] heart." This tension between joy and fear, desire and trepidation, is central to the poem’s emotional impact.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its exploration of power dynamics within romantic relationships. The speaker’s plea to Strephon—"Take, take that heart that needs must go / But, shepherd, see it kindly used"—reveals her awareness of the risks inherent in surrendering oneself to another. The heart, symbolizing both her love and her agency, is offered as a gift, but it is a gift that comes with a condition: it must be treated with care. This moment underscores the precariousness of the speaker’s position, as she entrusts her emotional well-being to another. At the same time, it highlights her agency in choosing to love, even in the face of potential heartbreak.

The poem also touches on themes of self-awareness and introspection. The speaker’s repeated use of the word "Ah!" suggests a moment of revelation or epiphany, as she becomes acutely aware of her own emotions and their implications. This self-awareness is further emphasized by her acknowledgment of her blushes and the "softness" that "invade[s] each part" of her being. Through these details, Behn captures the physical and emotional immediacy of the speaker’s experience, inviting readers to empathize with her vulnerability.

Literary Devices and Imagery

Behn’s use of literary devices in "Ah! what can mean that eager joy" is both subtle and effective, enhancing the poem’s emotional resonance and thematic depth. One of the most notable devices is her use of imagery, particularly the imagery of the heart. The heart serves as a central symbol in the poem, representing both the speaker’s love and her vulnerability. By personifying the heart as something that can be "taken" and "used," Behn underscores the fragility of emotional intimacy and the potential for exploitation in romantic relationships.

The poem also makes effective use of sensory imagery to convey the speaker’s emotional state. The "softness" that "invade[s] each part" and the "blushes" that rise at Strephon’s approach evoke a visceral sense of the speaker’s physical and emotional response to love. These details create a vivid picture of the speaker’s inner world, allowing readers to experience her emotions alongside her.

Another key device in the poem is its use of rhetorical questions, which serve to heighten the speaker’s sense of uncertainty and introspection. The opening lines—"Ah! what can mean that eager joy / Transports my heart when you appear?"—set the tone for the poem, as the speaker grapples with the intensity of her feelings. This rhetorical questioning continues throughout the poem, culminating in the poignant plea, "For who such presents will bestow, / If this, alas! should be abused?" These questions not only reveal the speaker’s inner turmoil but also invite readers to reflect on the broader implications of love and vulnerability.

Structure and Tone

The poem’s structure and tone further contribute to its emotional impact. Written in a lyrical, almost conversational style, the poem captures the immediacy of the speaker’s emotions. The use of enjambment, where lines flow seamlessly into one another, mirrors the fluidity of the speaker’s thoughts and feelings. This technique creates a sense of intimacy, as though the speaker is confiding in the reader.

The tone of the poem is both tender and apprehensive, reflecting the speaker’s complex emotional state. While the poem is filled with expressions of joy and affection, there is an underlying current of anxiety, as the speaker worries about the potential for her love to be "abused." This tension between joy and fear is central to the poem’s emotional depth, as it captures the bittersweet nature of love.

Conclusion

Aphra Behn’s "Ah! what can mean that eager joy" is a masterful exploration of love, vulnerability, and the complexities of human emotion. Through its use of vivid imagery, rhetorical questions, and a nuanced tone, the poem captures the paradoxical nature of love as both a source of joy and a cause of profound unease. Situated within the historical and cultural context of the Restoration period, the poem reflects Behn’s commitment to challenging traditional gender roles and exploring the emotional lives of women.

At its heart, the poem is a testament to the power of poetry to connect with readers on an emotional level. By giving voice to the speaker’s innermost thoughts and feelings, Behn invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of love and vulnerability. In doing so, she demonstrates the enduring relevance of poetry as a medium for exploring the complexities of the human condition. "Ah! what can mean that eager joy" is not only a remarkable work of art but also a poignant reminder of the transformative power of love and the courage it takes to open one’s heart to another.