Comprehensive Study Notes: Katherine Philips, 'A Married State'

Welcome! This chapter is all about diving into a powerful, witty poem from the 17th century by Katherine Philips. While the poem talks about marriage, it's really a fascinating exploration of freedom, power, and inequality—themes that are still relevant today!
Studying this poem helps you achieve the core aims of the syllabus: understanding how writers use language (AO3) to convey strong attitudes (AO2) and offering your own informed response (AO4).

I. Background Context: The Poet and the Time

Before analysing the poem itself, a tiny bit of context helps us understand the speaker's strong feelings.

  • The Poet: Katherine Philips (1632-1664). She was known as "The Matchless Orinda" and was one of the first published female poets in English history.
  • The Era (17th Century): During this time, the legal status of married women (known as feme covert) meant they gave up almost all their rights to their husband. Wives were expected to be obedient and subservient.
  • Why it Matters: The poem is a direct response to this lack of legal and personal autonomy for women when they married. This context is key to understanding the deep sense of loss expressed.

Did you know? This poem is a rare example of 17th-century poetry that overtly criticizes the traditional institution of marriage from a woman's point of view.

II. Summary and Speaker’s Attitude (AO1 & AO2)

The Core Message

The poem is an uncompromising warning against marriage. The speaker addresses young women, urging them to stay single and preserve their independence.

The structure is simple: the speaker presents a list of all the terrible things that happen when a woman marries, contrasting the carefree life of a single woman with the oppressive life of a wife.

Key Attitudes of the Speaker (AO2)
  • Cautionary/Warning: The speaker is not just complaining; she is actively trying to prevent others from making the same mistake.
  • Witty and Cynical: Although the subject is serious (loss of freedom), the tone is sharp and clever. She uses humour to expose the harsh reality.
  • Pro-Independence: She highly values "liberty" and "freedom" above all other benefits marriage might offer.

Quick Review: The speaker sees marriage not as a romantic union, but as a trap, resulting in the loss of personal freedom and the subjugation of women.

III. Structure, Form, and Rhyme (AO3: Writer's Methods)

Philips uses a very tight, controlled structure that gives the poem a punchy, memorable quality.

1. Couplets and Rhyme Scheme
  • Form: The poem is written in closed couplets (two consecutive lines that rhyme).
  • Rhyme Scheme: AABB CCDD, etc.
  • Effect: The regular, repeating AABB pattern makes the poem sound definitive and certain, almost like a string of undeniable facts or proverb-like statements. It’s like a catchy jingle that hammers home the negative points.
    Example: "I wish all maides would to the barr come,
    And only marry when there’s no room." (A common misquote/analogy, but illustrates the closed, final nature of the rhyme).
2. Meter and Rhythm
  • Meter: Mostly Iambic Tetrameter (four pairs of stressed/unstressed syllables per line).
  • Effect: This creates a steady, predictable rhythm. It makes the serious warning easy to follow and memorise, contributing to the feeling that this advice is absolute and true.
3. The Short Length

The poem is short and direct. There is no flowery language or romantic detour. This focus immediately sets a cautionary, almost aggressive tone.

Memory Aid: Think of the AABB rhyme scheme as a simple, repetitive beat drummed into the listener's head: Don't marry! Don't marry!

IV. Language and Imagery Analysis (AO3)

Philips uses specific, strong language to establish the idea that marriage is a form of legal slavery.

1. Metaphor of Imprisonment and Bondage

The speaker constantly uses language associated with confinement and restriction:

  • She refers to marriage as a "snare" (a trap).
  • The phrase "Freedom’s gone" is blunt and absolute.
  • She mentions the wife’s submission: "Obedience is onely their work." The word "onely" implies that obedience is the *sole* purpose of a married woman’s life.
2. Extreme Personification of the Husband

The husband is not portrayed as a loving partner but as an oppressor:

  • He is called "Tyrant Man." The word 'Tyrant' is extreme; it immediately associates the husband with dictatorship and cruel, absolute power, rather than domestic partnership.
  • The husband holds the "ruling hand." This imagery of physical control confirms the wife’s submission.
3. Contrast and Hyperbole

Philips uses exaggeration (hyperbole) and direct contrast to strengthen her argument:

  • She contrasts the pre-marriage state ("free", "mistress of her own estate") with the married state ("slave", "obedient").
  • The line, "A wife as a mouse, and is never at rest" uses a simple simile to suggest constant anxiety and insignificance. The mouse is small, nervous, and powerless.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Do not confuse the speaker's attitude with the poet's entire personal view. While Philips likely faced these pressures, remember we are analysing the voice created within the poem—which is entirely focused on caution and complaint.

V. Deeper Themes and Ideas (AO2)

The poem explores several universal issues relevant to human concern:

1. The Battle for Liberty and Autonomy

This is the central theme. The speaker strongly believes that personal freedom is the highest good. Marriage is therefore seen as a fundamental loss of self. This goes beyond just obedience; it is the loss of control over one's own identity and resources (money/estate).

2. Gender Roles and Patriarchy

The poem is a critical commentary on the patriarchal system of the 17th century, where men automatically held power over women. The power imbalance is absolute, leading to the wife's unhappiness. The speaker is lamenting a system, not necessarily just one bad husband.

3. Wealth and Property

The poem touches on the economic realities of marriage. The line "She’s forc’d to endure the command of her fate," often refers to the fact that her property legally becomes her husband’s, reinforcing her dependency.

VI. Approaching the Exam Question (AO4: Informed Personal Response)

When answering a question on 'A Married State', you must discuss how Philips achieves her effects. This means linking AO2 (Themes/Attitudes) with AO3 (Language/Methods).

Step-by-Step Analysis Strategy
  1. Identify the attitude: State clearly that the speaker's attitude towards marriage is overwhelmingly negative, cautionary, and cynical. (AO2)
  2. Quote and Explain Confinement Imagery: Use short, relevant quotations like "snare" or "Freedom’s gone." Explain that these words are metaphors for loss of liberty. (AO1, AO3)
  3. Discuss the "Tyrant": Analyse the strong, emotive term "Tyrant Man." Explain that this hyperbole emphasizes the power imbalance and makes the husband sound like a villain. (AO3)
  4. Analyse Structure: Comment on the effect of the AABB couplets. They contribute to the sharp, definitive, and unforgettable nature of the warning. (AO3)
  5. Offer a Personal Response: Conclude by reflecting on the impact of the poem. For example, "I find Philips’s uncompromising, direct tone highly effective in conveying the seriousness of a woman’s loss of rights in this historical context." (AO4)
Analogy: The Locked Door

Imagine the single woman is standing outside, free to roam. The speaker of the poem is standing just inside the marriage house, desperately warning her: "Don't come in! Once you cross this threshold, the door is locked, and the man holds the only key. Your 'liberty' (your greatest treasure) is gone." This dramatic scenario is exactly what Philips's urgent language creates.

Final Thought: When exploring this poem, focus on the intensity of the negative language. Every couplet is designed to shut down any romantic notion of 17th-century marriage.