"Delight in Disorder"

“Delight in Disorder” by Robert Herrick

Question 2

The oxymoron’s used in this poem are effective in revealing the meaning of it. The oxymoron “wild civility” means that there is a calmness and appeal to imperfection. Another oxymoron in the poem “sweet disorder” reveals a similar meaning. This oxymoron implies that with not appearing tidy and always together has appeal. Always appearing perfect and organized can be intimidating. Having disorder is sweet in that fact that it reveals imperfection which is comforting. “I see a wild civility; do more bewitch me than when art is to precise in every part,” (Herrick, 979). The passage including the oxymoron reveal the whole meaning of the poem to be that imperfections are often the source of the attraction of one person to another. We often think that we need to appear perfect in front of other people and that beauty only comes from perfection. However, beauty is seen through our flaws. The oxymoron’s in this poem reveal that contradictory meaning.