A Married State
By Katherine Philips
A married state affords but little ease
The best of husbands are so hard to please.
This in wives’ careful faces you may see
Though they dissemble their misfortunes well.
A virgin state is crowned with much content;
It’s always happy as its innocence.
No blustering husbands to create your fears;
No pangs of childbirth to extort your tears;
No children’s cries to offend your ears;
Few worldly crosses to distract your prayers:
Thus are you freed from all the cares that do
Attend on matrimony and a husband too.
Therefore Madam, be advised by me
Turn, turn apostate to love’s levity,
Suppress wild nature if she dare rebel.
There’s no such thing as leading apes in hell.
Summary of A Married State
- Understanding “A Married State” – Katherine Philips’ poem, published in 1646, challenges the idea that marriage brings joy. It contrasts the freedom of unmarried women with the burdens that marriage can impose.
- The Poem’s Core Argument – The speaker argues that marriage, even under social pressure, need not lead to happiness. She lists the difficulties of pleasing a husband and the physical and emotional demands of childbirth and child‑rearing. The poem is addressed to a “Madam” who is advised to stay single and seek personal contentment.
- Key Themes and Significance – The work is notable for its proto‑feminist stance, questioning the patriarchal norms of the seventeenth century. It explores freedom, suffering, and the pursuit of happiness—ideas that continue to resonate today. The poem offers valuable insight into how women’s lives were framed by society during that era.
In‑Depth Analysis of “A Married State”
The Opening Lines and the Reality of Marriage
The poem begins with a sharp declaration: “A married state affords but little ease.” This is not a gentle observation but a direct assertion that marriage is more likely to bring hardship than happiness. The following line, “The best of husbands are so hard to please,” reinforces the idea that even in the most favorable circumstances a wife must constantly strive to meet her husband’s expectations.
The line “This in wives’ careful faces you may see” shows that a married woman’s true feelings are hidden beneath a composed exterior. She *dissemble* – or conceals – her misfortunes, presenting a false front to the world. This suggests deep unhappiness and societal pressure to maintain appearances.
Contrasting States: Virginity and Marriage
The poem contrasts the “virgin state” with the “married state.” Lines such as “A virgin state is crowned with much content; it’s always happy as its innocence” idealise unmarried life. Happiness here is linked to freedom from responsibility and the absence of potential suffering. The word “crowned” elevates virginity, suggesting it is a state worthy of honour and respect.
The subsequent lines list the anxieties of married life – “No blustering husbands to create your fears; no pangs of childbirth to extort your tears.” These serve as a litany of potential miseries. The use of strong verbs—“blustering,” “extort”—emphasises the harsh realities Philips describes. It is not merely about avoiding inconvenience but about escaping possible emotional and physical trauma.
The Power of Negative Definition
Philips lists what marriage lacks compared to virginity. This negative definition technique highlights the perceived sacrifices inherent in married life. The absence of “fears,” “tears,” “cries,” and “crosses” paints a picture of serene freedom.
Consider the line, “Few worldly crosses to distract your prayers.” This is not merely about avoiding hardship; it is about preserving spiritual peace. Philips suggests that the demands of married life can interfere with a woman’s ability to connect with her faith.
The Bold Conclusion and Its Ambiguity
The poem concludes with a direct address to “Madam,” urging her to “Turn, turn apostate to love’s levity.” The word “apostate” implies a rejection of conventional expectations and a deliberate turning away from societal norms. “Love’s levity” suggests the frivolousness of romantic pursuits, implying that serious considerations should outweigh emotional impulses.
The final line, “There’s no such thing as leading apes in hell,” is enigmatic. It is often interpreted as a warning against attempting to control or dominate others. Apes, as irrational creatures, symbolize those beyond reason, and attempting to lead them suggests a futile and ultimately destructive endeavour.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “A Married State”
Assonance and Consonance for Musicality
Philips employs assonance and consonance to create a musical quality within the poem. Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, appears in phrases like “best of husbands” and “few worldly crosses.” Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds, appears in lines such as “Turn, turn apostate to love’s levity,” where the repeated “t” sounds contribute to rhythm and memorability.
Anaphora and Emphasis
The repetition of “No” at the beginning of several lines—“No blustering husbands…,” “No pangs of childbirth…,” “No children’s cries…”—is a clear example of anaphora. This technique creates a powerful rhythm and emphasizes the contrast between the burdens of marriage and the freedom of unmarried life.
Imagery and Sensory Detail
While the poem is largely argumentative, Philips uses imagery to evoke specific emotions. Phrases such as “pangs of childbirth” and “children’s cries” appeal to the reader’s senses, creating a vivid and unsettling picture of the hardships of married life.
Enjambment and Flow
Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next, is used subtly throughout the poem. This technique creates a sense of flow and prevents the lines from feeling overly segmented. For example, the opening couplet uses enjambment, seamlessly connecting the idea of a difficult married state with the difficulty of pleasing a husband.
Couplet Structure and Rhyme
The poem is written in rhyming couplets, a common poetic form in the seventeenth century. The consistent rhyme scheme—AA, BB, CC, and so on—creates a sense of order and predictability while contributing to the poem’s musicality. The rhyme is generally effective, reinforcing the overall message.
Quotes for Discussion and Analysis
A married state affords but little ease
The best of husbands are so hard to please.
This in wives’ careful faces you may see
Though they dissemble their misfortunes well.
This opening stanza encapsulates the poem’s central argument. It is a powerful statement about the potential unhappiness of married life and the societal pressure on women to conceal their true feelings.
A virgin state is crowned with much content;
It’s always happy as its innocence.
This couplet presents the idealised alternative to marriage. It romanticises freedom and innocence, highlighting the perceived sacrifices of married life.
Therefore Madam, be advised by me
Turn, turn apostate to love’s levity.
This concluding couplet is a direct call to action. It offers bold, unconventional advice for a woman living in the seventeenth century, urging her to prioritise her own happiness over societal expectations.