First Love
How does the poet use language to create a vivid portrayal of love?
First Love was written by John Clare (1793-1864) about his true love for a woman called Mary Joyce, who was from an upper class family, differing from his background from lower class. Even though Mary Joyce was the love of his life, he married another woman and had a family with her. In later years, his obsession led to him being admitted in to an asylum. During his time there, he had been said to think he was Lord Bryon (Mary Joyce’s actual husband). She was the daughter of a wealthy farmer who did not approve of him. His infatuated love for her drove him to insanity. The poem talks about the first time he laid his eye upon her. In the essay, I will discuss how the poet uses language to create a dramatic portrayal of his love.