Question

How does Richard Lovelace depict war in this excerpt from “To Lucasta, Going to the Wars”?

And with a stronger faith embrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.

Yet this inconstancy is such,
As you too shall adore;
I could not love thee, Dear, so much,
Loved I not honour more.

A.
as a deplorable act
B.
as a forced sacrifice
C.
as an honorable mission
D.
as a necessary rite of passage

Answer 1

Richard Lovelace portrays war as an honorable mission in “To Lucasta, Going to the Wars,” suggesting that the pursuit of honor justifies leaving behind personal affections.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the excerpt from Richard Lovelace's poem “To Lucasta, Going to the Wars,” he depicts war as an honorable mission. Lovelace presents the act of going to war as a noble endeavor, one that is rooted in the pursuit of honor which surpasses even the love he holds for Lucasta. He personifies inconstancy, suggesting that it is a positive trait when it serves the higher purpose of honor. Lovelace's portrayal of war encapsulates the idea that one's love for honor can and should outweigh personal affection, which is seen as a virtue that Lucasta herself will eventually admire.