Literary Analysis "upon Wedlock, and Death of Children" by Edward Taylor

Briana Turner

Mrs. Fick

ENG 241

June 4, 2017

Literary Analysis:

“Upon Wedlock, and Death of Children” By: Edward Taylor

Back in the 1600s most poets wrote about events in their life or events happening around them.  Granted, some writers did write just for fun but for Edward Taylor a majority of his work was involved personal life experiences.   A lot of his poems often had a deep underlying meaning hinting to something either very happy or drastic.  One of his poems titled “Upon wedlock, and Death of Children” was written in the year 1682.  Taylor wrote this poem to express his feeling.

        In the first section of this poem in stanza five and six Taylor writes “It’s Wedden’s Knot, that can ne’re be united: No Alexander’s Sword can it divide.”.  This phrase was used to clarify his love for his wife and how nothing can ever break them apart. When reading those stanzas, you can feel how strong the connection is between him and his beloved wife.  Moving to the third section stanzas 14 - 16 Taylor writes “Soon knotted, and a manly flower out brake. And after it, my branch again did knot, brought out another Flowet, its sweet-breathed mate.”.  In these stanzas Taylor is talking about the birth of his first-born son and daughter.  These quotes are joyful and you can feel His excitement by the way he uses flowers to express how delicate and meaningful his children are to him.