The Allure of Nighttime
The narrator of “Idea 37: Dear, why should you command me to my rest” spends much of the poem bemoaning the fact that night is approaching, which means he shall soon have to go to bed. The narrator suggests that there is something inherently magical and whimsical about nightfall; it is a time of social gatherings and celebration. Though the narrator is being called away to bed, he much prefers the outdoors at nighttime. He feels that nightfall encourages fellowship and is a cruel taunt for humanity, for nighttime is when all creatures must sleep, and it is unavoidable. It is for this reason that the narrator nearly wishes it would be daytime always—so as to avoid the allure of the evening darkness.
The Ever-Changing Nature of Poetry
In “Idea: To the Reader,” the narrator justifies his poetry. He speaks directly to the reader and explains that his poems are a direct reflection of his thoughts and mind. He explains that, unlike other writers, his poems are not far-fetched or misleading. Rather, they are a simple glimpse into his thoughts and musings. In this way, he justifies the fact that his poems are about numerous topics, for the mind is never stationary and must always ponder new things. Therefore, author Michael Drayton is commenting on the fact that poetry is an ever-changing form of literature. Verses appear are a reflection of the poet’s mind and will appear differently to all those who read and write it; therefore, poetry can never remain static.
The Trials of Love
In “Idea 20: An evil spirit, your beauty, haunts me still,” the narrator explains that he is being mentally and emotionally tortured by the memory of an unnamed woman’s beauty. The narrator likens her beauty to an evil spirit, for the very thought of her haunts him to do this day and causes him great mental pain. In this way, the narrator suggests that love and beauty can be a dangerous path to tread, one that can ultimately lead to great emotional distress. Though the narrator lusts after this unnamed woman, due to her physical beauty, he is unable to have her and is thus in a torturous state of lost love.
