"The Imperfect Enjoyment"

“The Imperfect Enjoyment” written by John Wilmot, involves a sexual encounter that is described as a battle of the sexes. Of course it comes as no surprise that in this battle, the woman loses, despite the fact that “The Imperfect Enjoyment” is a poem about premature ejaculation. Men are pictured as more powerful, and the fact that this sexual failure occurs is blamed on the woman for being “too beautiful” rather than on the man, where the blame is actually needed. The man is seen as a “martyr to love” who gets to celebrate in the glory of victory in this battle while the woman has to accept the fact that ahe has been defeated. Unlike other poems in this genre, however, this poem does feature a woman who is equal, dominant and who actually speaks. The woman gives orders, but does so using the tools of the man. This poem is a humorous poem that will keep you interested to the end. The man seems to have a problem getting aroused but of course he lays the blame on the woman. After reading “The Imperfect Enjoyment” it is advised to make “The Disappointment” the next choice for a poem to read since it highlights the woman’s feelings as well.