Marvell's 'Coy Mistress' and Browning's 'Duchess'

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that a comparison of the two poems reveals that the poems' apparently misogynistic tones disguise the poets' true attitudes toward women. The writer provides an analysis of the poems' speakers, tone, and figurative language. Browning and Marvell both use irony, figurative language, and a distancing of the poet from the speaker to convey their attitudes toward women. It explains that Browning contradicts his speaker's impression of women as objects to be possessed, who should obey their masters and inordinately appreciate their masters' "gifts." Marvell disagrees with the attitude that women are easily manipulated by "talk of love" and readily dominated by morbid threats. It concludes that both authors express-albeit in a backhanded way-a very liberated attitude toward women, especially given the prevailing mores at the time of these poems' publications.

From the Paper:

"Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress" and Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess" explore selected aspects of male-female relationships. Marvell's poem focuses on a suitor's entreaties to a prospective lover. Browning describes a meeting between an Italian nobleman and the representative of a potential bride's family. Through their choices of speaker and their use of figurative language and tone, the poets express consistent, progressive attitudes toward women. This paper will examine how each poet's use of the above three elements reveals his attitudes toward women."

More papers on Marvell's 'Coy Mistress' and Browning's 'Duchess':

• Analytical Essay # 123614 : "'To His Coy Mistress' and Perspectives"
• Analytical Essay # 60736 : "A & P" and "To His Coy Mistress"
• Poem Review # 116583 : "To his Coy Mistress"

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