4 Must-Read Aphra Behn Poems

'The Willing Mistress' is one of Behn's most famous poems, exemplifying her defiance of social norms that suppress and control female sexuality and voice. She incorporated versions of this poem's text in other works (like 'The Dutch Lover') till it evolved into 'The Willing Mistress.' It seems like a pastiche of the courtly love tradition, subverting the 'coy' or 'shy' mistress (see, 'To His Coy Mistress' by Andrew Marvell) with the 'willing' mistress who isn't ashamed of sexual desire and pleasure and expresses joy instead of showing resistance which the patriarchal society expected disregarding the existence of female passion and sexuality. Its subversion of norms, subtle wit and playfulness, pastoral setting, and sensuality align with Behn's libertine spirit and other romantic works.

Amyntas led me to a Grove,

Where all the Trees did shade us;

The Sun it self, though it had Strove,

It could not have betray’d us:

A Thousand Martyrs

‘A Thousand Martyrs’ by Aphra Behn is a powerful exploration of faith, persecution, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

‘A Thousand Martyrs’ embodies Aphra Behn's themes of love, power, and gender dynamics. It showcases her bold and unapologetic voice, challenging conventional notions of femininity and romance. The poem's speaker revels in their ability to manipulate and conquer lovers, reflecting Behn's exploration of female agency and desire. It epitomizes her wit, defiance, and keen observation of human nature, making it a quintessential example of her poetry.

A thousand martyrs I have made,

All sacrificed to my desire;

A thousand beauties have betrayed,

That languish in resistless fire.

Love Armed

‘Love Armed’ warns the reader against falling under the embittering and tyrannical control of love.

Aphra Behn's poem masterfully combines imposing imagery and provocative figurative language to depict love as a cruel tyrant. The symbolic diction augments this personification, accentuating love’s selfishness, cruelty, and merciless hold over the speaker's heart. In doing so, they expose its status as a greedy god eager to satiate its hunger on those who've sacrificed themselves unwittingly at its altar. The poem also touches on the innate unfairness of heartbreak, that what is done in devotion to love results only in pain, either your own or another’s.

Love in Fantastic Triumph sat, Whilst Bleeding Hearts around him flowed, For whom Fresh pains he did Create, Love in Fantastic Triumph sat, Whilst Bleeding Hearts around him flowed, For whom Fresh pains he did Create, And strange Tyrannic power he showed; And strange Tyrannic power he showed;

On Her Loving Two Equally

‘On Her Loving Two Equally’ by Aphra Behn is a portrayal of a woman’s heart torn between two lovers, clearly illustrating the agony and indecision that accompany such deep, conflicting emotions.

Aphra Behn, a prolific playwright, poet, and novelist of the Restoration era, is the author of the poem 'On Her Loving Two Equally.' In this poem, she explores the notions of being romantically torn between two lovers, reflecting her nuanced approach to concepts of love and betrayal. Behn's work often challenged the societal norms of her time, and this poem exemplifies her bold and direct exploration of personal emotions and dilemmas.

How strongly does my Passion flow,

Divided equally ’twixt two?

Damon had ne’er subdued my heart,

Had not Alexis took his part;

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The Willing Mistress