Analysis of 'There Is A Garden In Her Face'

In 'There Is A Garden In Her Face' the poet portrays the immense beauty of the woman. Campion smilies, imagery and metaphors to describe how beautiful the woman truly is. In the first and second line of the poem Campion states that there is a 'garden in her face' where 'roses and white lilies' are and grow. Through the nature imagery of the 'roses' and 'white lilies' Campion conveys the conventional description of white skin and pink cheeks. These physical traits are were highly sought after by women and men and were often highly thought of. The adjective 'white' describing the lilies suggest innocence and pureness. 

Also, throughout the poem religious imagery is used. This is shown in the last stanza where Campion says the women 'eyes are like angels' and that she has 'sacred cherries'. Through the use of religious imagery such as the nouns 'angels' and 'sacred' reflects the woman's goddess like power over men. The adjective 'sacred' suggests something that has to be preserved. The womens beauty and body has to be maintained until she feels she finds a man that will love her. The power of the woman in the poem is also shown through the repeated phrase 'Till' Cherry ripe' themselves do cry." This line is made famous from London fruit vendors who would often cry 'Cherry ripe' to advertise their fruits. Only when the women in the poem cry 'Cherry ripe' will a man be able to approach her and kiss her. Despite the woman being selective of her men her choice is accepted and respected as shown through the way Campion positively describes her. This is often associated with the idea of courtly love and the idea that the man has to impress the women.