The Imperfect Enjoyment Poem Analysis

The bedroom poems of the 18th century was a new piece of literature introduced to me. I like how these poems were so detailed and made you cringe from the sights that were being portrayed. Both Behn and Rochester were two extremely strong poets who use sexual encounters to display gender and power roles among both men and women in the 18th century. In this close reading I will use “The Disappointment” by Behn and “The Imperfect Enjoyment” by Rochester to analyze the ideal of power.
“The Disappointment” by Behn shares a woman’s first sexual experience. In this experience it clearly shows that Lysander overpowers Cloris with his physical strengths and seduction, which leaves Cloris with mix feelings about proceeding on with him. Her sense of
We can see this early off in the poem when he starts describing their sexual interactions, only to find out that he is not really pleasing her. Because of this, the woman seems to have the upper hand over him and would therefore be the one who has the power. In line 15, he says, “Melt into sperm, and spend at every pore, a touch from any part of her had done ‘t.” This line shows the man’s inabilities to stay erect. Line 21 she says, “When, with thousand kisses wandering o’er, my panting bosom, ‘is there then no more’.” Here it says that the woman tries to kiss and touch the man in an attempt to help him become erect again, but it simply does not work and he becomes mad because he can’t please her. It also seems reasonable to say that since she can’t make him become erect again and since he can’t become erect on his own for her then that means that neither of them has power. We also know from this poem that his past experiences has been with whores who he really does not care about and now is confused when he’s with someone he actually likes. Line 59 says, “Breaks every stew, does each small whore invade.” This lines shows how mad the man is and who he blames for him not being able to stay erect. He blames the whores who he has been with. The word “invade” implies that the whores took something away from him each time he had sex with them, that would otherwise still be intact for the woman he loves. He seems to analyze himself sexually throughout the poem. Making it clear, that he is upset because he’s with a woman who he actually likes and realizes that his past has messed up his encounter with her. He is powerless and upset by his poor judgement and