Aphra Behn (1640–1689) was a pioneering English playwright, novelist, and poet, recognized as one of the first professional female writers in English literature. Little is known about her early life, but she likely traveled widely and may have worked as a spy for Charles II during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. Behn's literary career began in the 1670s, and she quickly gained renown for her plays, which often challenged societal norms and explored themes of gender and power. Her most famous work, "Oroonoko," published in 1688, is considered one of the earliest English novels and is notable for its exploration of race, slavery, and colonialism. Behn's writing was bold and provocative, often confronting taboos of her time. Despite facing criticism and financial difficulties during her lifetime, she paved the way for future generations of women writers, leaving a lasting impact on English literature.

"To the Fair Clarinda" reflects the pastoral genre popular at the time, which idealized rural life and often depicted themes of love, nature, and innocence. Behn's poem follows this tradition but also subverts it, as it presents a more complex and nuanced portrayal of love and desire.

Protofeminism/Women evading cultural norms and Platonic Soul Bonding/Romantic Friendships

The title itself sets the stage for the exploration of complex emotions. "Who Made Love to Me" suggests a physical act but also implies a deeper emotional connection. "Imagin'd More Than Woman" hints at the idea that the subject of the poem transcends traditional notions of femininity.

The poem challenges traditional gender roles and binaries. Behn addresses the subject as both a "Maid" and a "Youth," suggesting a fluidity that defies categorization. This ambiguity allows for a more expansive exploration of desire beyond societal norms.

The speaker expresses a struggle against the charms of the subject, implying a sense of temptation and desire that transcends conventional boundaries. The subject's beauty is so captivating that it causes pain and confusion, blurring the lines between attraction to a woman and a man.

The speaker seeks to justify their feelings, suggesting that loving the subject is innocent because of their exceptional beauty and allure. There's a sense of seeking forgiveness or excuse for their desires, which they attribute to the irresistible nature of the subject.

The poem explores the complexity of love and desire, suggesting that it can't be neatly confined to traditional categories. The speaker extends their love to include both masculine and feminine aspects of the subject, embracing the entirety of their being.

The references to Hermes and Aphrodite add depth to the poem, invoking classical mythology to underscore the complexity of desire and the intertwining of masculine and feminine energies.

Aphra Behn - Poems by the Famous Poet - All Poetry

Aphra Behn | Biography, Books, & Facts | Britannica

New Lesbian Historic Motif Podcast: Aphra Behn | Alpennia

The Spy Who Became England’s First Successful Female Writer | History| Smithsonian Magazine

5. Aphra Behn and the Poetics of Lesbian Salience in the Seventeenth Century | Brightonline

The Scandalous, Sexually Explicit Writings of Aphra Behn (literaryladiesguide.com)

2020-UMUPC-SSH-WATSON-ALEXA.pdf (umanitoba.ca)

"Aphra Behn's Cunning Stunts: 'To the fair Clarinda'"

"Beauteous Wonder of a Different Kind": Aphra Behn's Destabilization of Sexual Categories

"That Which I Dare not Name": Aphra Behn's "The Willing Mistress"

"Women loving words and other women"