How does the poet use language in the poem, To Althea, From Prison?

Some of the language Lovelace uses is rather unusual to a contemporary audience. For instance, the usage of “tipple” is entirely different from its contemporary usage – Lovelace uses it to mean “swim,” while today its only surviving meaning is “a small amount of alcohol” (15). Other words, like “linnets,” have essentially disappeared entirely from the English language (17).

Yet Lovelace’s poem remains quite readable in spite of these linguistic differences. The main challenge in comprehension is recognizing his references. This poem is deeply steeped in its particular historical moment. From what it was like to be in an early modern prison, to the relationship between a courtier and a king, to early modern beauty standards, many specific cultural and historical facts are important to creating the poem’s meaning.