Delight in Disorder - Robert Herrick

Robert Herrick's book of Poems

A SWEET disorder in the dress
Kindles in clothes a wantonness:
A lawn about the shoulders thrown
Into a fine distraction:
An erring lace which here and there
Enthrals the crimson stomacher:
A cuff neglectful, and thereby
Ribbons flow confusedly:
A winning wave (deserving note)
In tje tempestuous petticoat:
A careless shoes-string, in whose tie
I see a wild civility:
Do more bewitch me than when art
Is too precise in every part.

"Un-confuse" it:

This poem is talking about the perfection of imperfection. From previous generations, humans have always had the need to strive for perfection. However, the poet uses the diction, structure and imagery to convey his own perspective of true perfection.

The poet depends on the visual imagery of woman’s clothing for the reader to relate to the poet. For example, “Kindles in clothes a wantonness” gives an image of a woman wearing untidy clothing that attracts the attention of the poet. The poet is describing the association between a woman’s choice of clothing and how it causes his attraction to her. The poet also focuses on specific features such as “lace”, “cuff” and “ribbons” instead of the whole outfit of the women which actually creates a sense of admiration, despite the imperfections. The poet also states that he prefers these imperfections over precise art

The poet uses diction that depicts a sense of disorder. For example, words like “wantonness”, ”erring”, ”neglected” ,”confusedly”, ”tempestuous”, ”careless” are being used to create a similar visual arrangement of a jumbled mess, which creates a sense of confusion. This further emphasises and enhances the feeling of disorder.

Disorder can be easily seen upon the first sight of the poem. The poem has an irregular rhyme scheme. From the total of fourteen lines, seven couplets can be found in the poem. For example, the first two lines of the poem ends with corresponding sounds which are “dress “from line 1 and “wantonness” from line 2. Lines 9 and 10, and lines 13 and 14 also ends with corresponding sounds. By creating an irregular rhyme scheme, the poet highlights the disorder and suggests that even the poem itself have imperfections. Hence, it conveys a sense of appeal in the imperfect structure of the poem, and possibly a hint of charm in the woman is included.

The poet’s message of the poem is that with flaws, the woman is more perfect.