Bermudas By Andrew Harvel Analysis

The 17th century marked an Age of Discovery, for both new sea routes and new ways of expressing erotic lust. Poets began to embrace the language of the New World: trade, expansion, possession and sexual desire. Desire became a driving force for exploration of new lands and the human body, resulting in one force overpowering another. Poets including Andrew Marvell used New World language to mask their sexual desires. Marvell’s ‘Bermudas’ takes the idea of faith to a sensual level, using metaphors to uncover a promised Eden and erotic lust. Marvell’s approach to lust through religion is unimaginable, how is he able to mask his sexual desire through his faith in God? He embraces New World language to explore faith in God and lust for his promised …show more content…
Living in a world of restrictions creates a sense of desperation for the unknown. The narrator and sailors rely on God to lead them through turbulent waves in order to escape the “prelate’s rage”. The narrator is in the process of escaping a life of seclusion and presented with the opportunity to satisfy any need. He could be thought of as rough, eager and anxious. Marvell uses the narrator’s emotions and molds it into end rhymes. Marvell uses end rhymes: “Bermuda’s ride” and “unespied” to mimic the fluidity of water and the narrator’s emotional, sexual ride towards the unseen. The narrator is presented with an opportunity that he never thought possible. In order to get the end result he must pass through a “watery maze” that is between religion and erotic desire. Marvell represents a typical white man, a man who desires flesh and love. His need for sexual satisfaction is unavoidable. Marvell takes his sexual eagerness and puppeteers the narrator. Marvell sets up the poem to illustrate sailors escaping religious persecution and are led safe to shore. He does this in order to mask his underlying sexual desires but also proclaim his faith to