Katherine Philips (Fowler)
(1631-1663)
Biography
-Daughter of John Fowler
-Education: Hackney Boarding School
-Widowed mother married Hector Phillips
-At 16, Katherine married James Philips (54, Hector's son)
-Together they had one son (Hector, 44 days old) and one daughter (Katherine)
-Founded Society of Friendship
-Called "the Matchless Orinda"
-Died of small pox June 22, 1664 in London (33)
- Most of her poems were not recognized or published until 1678
-Some of her family members were rearranged marriages by her family, she disagreed
-Men looked down upon women as if they were property
Poem
HENCE Cupid! with your cheating toys,
Your real Griefs, and painted Joys,
Your Pleasure which itself destroys.
Lovers like men in fevers burn and rave,
And only what will injure them do crave.
Men's weakness makes Love so severe,
They give him power by their fear,
And make the shackles which they wear.
Who to another does his heart submit,
Makes his own Idol, and then worships it.
Him whose heart is all his own,
Peace and liberty does crown,
He apprehends no killing frown.
He feels no raptures which are joys diseas'd,
And is not much transported, but still pleas'd.
Citations
"Katherine Philips Essay - Critical Essays - ENotes.com." Enotes.com. Enotes.com. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. <http://www.enotes.com/topics/katherine-philips>.
Stiebel, Arlene. "Philips, Katherine (1632-1664)." Glbtq. Web. 27 Mar. 2015. <http://www.glbtq.com/literature/philips_k,2.html>.