Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The poem "Exercise of Affection" was written by Robert Ayton, a Scottish poet and courtier. Ayton lived from 1570 to 1638 and was known for his poetry, particularly his love poems. He was a close friend of the famous poet and courtier Sir Walter Raleigh. Ayton served as a tutor to the future king, James VI of Scotland, and later became a courtier in the royal court of King James I of England.

"Exercise of Affection" is one of Ayton's well-known sonnets, showcasing his skill in expressing emotions and the complexities of love. The poem reflects the themes and sentiments commonly found in Renaissance love poetry.. Ayton's works often display a blend of classical influences and courtly conventions, making use of poetic devices and rhetorical techniques to convey his thoughts and feelings.

The sonnet reflects on the nature of love and the follies associated with it. Ayton expresses his view that love, when taken to extremes and consumed by passion, can lead to irrational behavior and self-destructive tendencies.

"Exercise of Affection" begins by acknowledging that worldly pleasures often lead to folly, but among all the follies, love is the sweetest. However, Ayton distinguishes his perspective from the passionate and all-consuming love that dominates reason and turns life into a perpetual Lent. He favors a more moderate and lukewarm approach to love, rejecting the idea that lovers die or suffer immensely for their love.

Ayton asserts that love is not a destiny or disease that forces a person's disposition. He challenges the notion of lovers dying for their love, stating that if everyone who claimed to die for love had truly perished, the world would have already come to an end. He argues that individuals have agency in their feelings and can choose whether or not to love.

The poet critiques those who seem to lose their sanity due to love and suggests that some of them might belong in a place like Bedlam (a historical mental institution). Ayton distances himself from extreme expressions of love, stating that he would not drown or hang himself for love. He advocates for a balanced approach, believing that both loving too little and loving too much are vices.

Overall, "Exercise of Affection" showcases Ayton's skepticism towards extreme expressions of love and his preference for a more moderate and rational approach to the subject.

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