To Lucasta, Going to Wars
How has the term "mistress" changed over the years?
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Asked by
Jill W
Last updated by
Jill W
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In the poem, a “mistress” is a symbol of complete devotion (5). In modern times, a mistress is a female partner in an extramarital affair, but in early modern writing, it could refer to any woman to whom one was devoted.
To Lucasta, Going to Wars