These people he has watched are not necessarily going against society.
This beautiful poem is taken from the collection of lyrics "Hesperides" published inthe only published volume of poems by Robert Herrick.
Written in plain and simple language, the poem has its special appeal because of its lucidity as well as simplicity of expression.
These little examples of disorder represented, to the speaker, a subtle way of going astray. These two seemingly orposing words justaposed together denote both pleasantness and wild- ness. Long, jumbled words also add to a feeling of blissful disorder, with words like "tempestuous petticoat, "wantonness". The poet has used parallel structure at the beginning of third, fifth, seventh, ninth and eleventh lines. His poems reflect the cultural war going on between the royalists, who wanted more traditional English culture, and Puritans, who were much more ordered and clean. He does not devote time to describe the physical beauty of his be- loved. Though highly emotional, the poet has maintained unity of thought as well as feeling. The most powerful oxymoron in the poem is 'wild civility'. What does this show about British culture in the 16th century? It is his choice of extra ordinary concept of beauty that attracted him to her disorderly dresses. It has all the lyrical qualities. The clothing imagery conveys the quality of disorder and enhances the idea that flawed art can also be beautiful.He delights in these subtle little evidences of disorder. In line three, he says "A lawn about the shoulders thrown "instead of saying "A lawn thrown about the shoulders". She has worn every article of her dress carelessly, however it is this complete lack of attention to her dress which makes her look very at- tractive and "bewitches" the lover all the more.
It gives vent to the emotions and personal thoughts of the poet. He is amused because his beloved is more bewitching and captivating in her wayward dress.
The most powerful oxymoron in the poem is 'wild civility'. But the poet sees in her dress a sign of 'wild civility'. The poetic techniques reflect the message that there is beauty in imperfection. It is Herrick's "Delight in Disorder" is a wonderful specimen of lyric poetry. It is his choice of extra ordinary concept of beauty that attracted him to her disorderly dresses. It gives vent to the emotions and personal thoughts of the poet. For the poet, clothes stand for the personality of the lady. This article discuss on critical appreciation of "Delight in Disorder " "Delight in Disorder" captures the poet's attitude towards his be- loved. Posted by Unknown at The lawn, a piece of fine linen, is flung carelessly on her shoulders but for the poet it is a source of immense delight and entertainment. And yet, the speaker takes delight in it. Herrick has portrayed his beloved in a completely unconventional way. After the opening couplet Herrick goes on to describe the disorderliness of her beloved, which is a source of delight for him. A sweet disorder in the dress Kindles in clothes a wantonness; A lawn about the shoulders thrown Into a fine distraction; Given the time period in which the author lived, it is interesting the the speaker in this poem would note disorder in the appearance of the people around him.This theme of disorder or finding delight in disorder is developed throughout the poem. The poet is delighted at having discovered this originality in her.
The meter is mainly dactylic quatrameter, and the rhyme scheme is seven pairs of rhyming lines. It offered something different from the structure and ideals of society.