The Art of Craziness




In On Being Charged with Writing Incorrectly, the Amorous Lady defends her character as a poet against those who might not think of her as an artist. Her voice is loud and clear when she writes, “My free-born thoughts I'll not confine.” She does not lack confidence and is not afraid to say what she desires. Since she knew that the male dominant society of her time would not listen to her, she compared herself with Apollo, the Greek god. She is not asking for equality when comparing herself to Apollo, but she is putting herself in a god-like position that mortal men, without talents cannot reach her. The poet asserts that is a naturally born artist and does not need rules to write her poetry. Towards the end, the poet confesses that her desire to write poetry only came from pleasure and does not seek much fame. 

The Amorous Lady offers a romantic view of poetry. She embraces the idea of the muse, the whisperer, the mystic that surrounds the poets and their writing. She also expresses her desire of liberation against a society that wants to control her, perhaps just because she is a woman. She is a true romantic as she defends an idea during a time where the common thought was centered in logic and reason. She embraces her own ideas and goes against the common thought of the time, without having logic or reasoning to defend her argument. If today someone presents an idea that goes against the common beliefs of people, they are deemed as crazy. Perhaps if the Amorous Lady was called crazy during her time, today we call her a poet and take time to read her craziness. Therefore, the Amorous Lady has a clear message, let them call you crazy. 

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