Abstract The author compares and contrasts two poems, Robert Herrick's "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" and Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress." According to the author youth and time are two common threads in these poems, although each poet has a slightly different take on the role it plays in influencing people's lives. The poets also differ on their opinions of importance of growing old, and what lessons we can learn as we age.
From the Paper "Marvell looks at the aspects of death more than the aspects of living life because he feels that he needs to be rejuvenated back to life by a lady who will not give him what he wants. He is facing the fact of his own death, not anyone else's. "But at my back I always hear / Time's winged chariot hurrying near; / And yonder all before us lie / Deserts of vast eternity. / They beauty shall no more be found." It doesn't seem like Marvell cares about how his "Lady" feels. He just thinks that she will regret not being one with him after she dies because "her quaint honor" would be turned to dust and his "lust" would be converted to "ashes.""
Abstract This paper looks at how "A & P" by John Updike and "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell are examples of literature which have the function to mobilize or to infuse new ideologies, thoughts, or sentiments that allows individuals to create changes within themselves and the society. It explains that in "A & P," Updike elucidates on the reality of an individual who attempts to stand up for his own opinion and belief despite the opposition that he faces in his society. Similarly Marvell, in his romantic poem, characterizes time as humanity's enemy in allowing people to fully enjoy and experience life, and in the context of his poem, to pursue love as he (the poet) feels it. It concludes that both literary works suggests a sense of urgency to accomplish important plans that the protagonist (of "A & P") and the Voice ("To His Coy Mistress") tried to realize.
From the Paper "In "A & P," readers are acquainted with the character of Sammy, a teenager who works at A & P, and is characterized by Updike as an individual who has no clear ambitions, looks with blatant interest at young women, but is also firm and resolute with his opinion, beliefs, and decisions in life. In effect, Sammy's character has two facets: Sammy as the A & P employee who has simple joys and shallow aspirations in life; and Sammy as the firm and resolute believer for what he perceives as morally upright opinions and sentiments."
Abstract In this article, a series of questions relating to Marvell's poem "To His Coy Mistress" are answered. In addition, the writer provides an essay that compares the similarities in themes of this poem with Marvell's "The Nymph Complaining For The Death Of Her Fawn."
Tags: love, nature, power, human limitations, time, eternity, death, affection
Abstract In this paper, a feminist critique of Andrew Marvel's poem "To His Coy Mistress" is offered that focuses on the speaker's tactics in trying to coerce his Lady into sex.
From the Paper "Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress" is a poem in ABAB rhyme scheme that is divided into three stanzas for a total of ? lines. In the first stanza the speaker informs his intended Lady how he would love her if time were no consideration. In the second stanza he warns her that time is fleeting and they are mortal."
Abstract This paper discusses Andrew Marvell's poem, "To his Coy Mistress," which was written from a man to his recalcitrant lover. The paper first describes the plot of the poem and the characters who are involved. The paper then discusses Marvell's use of metaphors, diction and figures of speech and how he uses these to portray emotional intensity in the poem.
From the Paper ""To his Coy Mistress" is a poem written by Andrew Marvell from a man to his recalcitrant lover. The poem seems set in the midst of a long-standing argument about the appropriate pace of their courtship. He begins by flattering her, but by the middle appears too worked up to conceal his exasperation with her failure to put out. He seems, however, to save face at the end of the poem by describing in somewhat ecstatic terms what it would be like if she were to submit to him. Marvell tells the story of this argument by attributing to his speaker a set of concise and evocative metaphors. The pace of the conversation being had and its emotional intensity are both signaled and produced by his use of diction and figures of speech."
Abstract This paper studies the poem "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell, within the context of poetry as seduction. Specifically, the paper examines how seduction becomes Marvell's art and argument, directed solely toward the object of his affection, his beloved mistress. The paper explains that on the surface, Andrew Marvell's poem, "To His Coy Mistress," appears to be nothing more than an invitation for a romp in the hay. However, the paper maintains that there is a much deeper theme that lies at the heart of the poem. The paper discusses how the utilizes casual sex as the vehicle to stress his urgency for intimacy. This urgency, according to the paper, lies in the fact that we should make the most of our lives with the time we have now rather than thinking, or relying, too heavily on the future. The paper details several literary techniques, which the poet employs to illustrate the art of seduction, including persuasion, truth, passion, the aspect of time, and the certainty of death. The paper quotes extensively from the poem in order to illustrate and substantiate its theses.
From the Paper "The poet also employs persuasion as a seductive tool, which emphasizes the theme of the poem. The poet's power of persuasion is powerful and, upon first reading, it seems he is using it to advance his own purposes. There is no doubt that this man is in love but there is also no doubt that he wants something in return for this love. However, his power of persuasion is strong and convincing. For instance, the first words from the poet's mouth are, "Had we but world enough, and time" (1). This is a wise approach to his art of seduction because what he is saying is true. His mistress, or no one else for that matter, can argue with this assertion. In order to prevent her from becoming offended, he is also very quick to point out that her coyness would not be a crime if the two of them did have all the time in the world. He goes on to say that they "would sit down, and think which way/To walk, and pass our long love's day" (4-5). Here we can see how the poet is using his seduction technique very wisely in that he is fostering it with logic. The poet does not want to appear to be heartless or simply after sex. In other words, he wants his lover to know that he sincerely cares for her but there is more to their love than she might realize. His aim is to bring these things to her attention and his method is through seduction."
Abstract This paper compares Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress" to Robert Herrick's ?Corinna's Going A-Maying.? It contains examinations of both speakers, their intentions, their desires, and their rhetorical approaches/seduction strategies. It also explores possible differences between the speakers? mistresses, the addressees, and the ways in which the speakers? words reveal their respective perceptions of their mistresses. It shows how, although both speakers focus on the same basic themes (seizing the day and the transience of life), the vast differences in their rhetorical approaches and linguistic choices reveal different perceived obstacles to their goal (seduction) and different hesitations on the part of their mistresses.
From the Paper "Both Marvell and Herrick's speakers believe in seizing the day and making the most out of life; they recognize its impermanence and therefore wish to fulfill their desires in the present, likening human existence to fleeting nature. After explaining to his mistress that he would love her eternally but that their time is limited, Marvell's speaker insists: "Now therefore, while the youthful hue/Sits on thy skin like morning dew" (33-34) they should submit to their desires. This description emphasizes the transience of his mistress's youth by likening her young skin to morning dew, which appears only briefly at dawn and vanishes in the full light of day. He continues: "Now let us sport us while we may,/And now, like amorous birds of prey,/Rather at once our time devour/Than languish in his slow-chapped power" (36-40)."
Abstract This paper focuses on Andrew Marvell's poem, ?To His Coy Mistress,? and how the speaker of the poem will say anything to get the woman to have sex with him. Three additional authors, who have written their own analyses of the poem, are brought in to prove or disapprove the writer's interpretation of the poem. Included with this paper is a 'works cited' page and a word-for-word paraphrase of the poem.
From the Paper "Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress" suggests that some men, like the speaker in Marvell's poem, actually do not love the woman they desire. Rather these men will make false promises, lie, or make sarcastic comments in hopes of tricking their women into having sex with them, or to make her feel guilty or insecure so that the women will finally give into having sex with them."
Abstract This paper examines how styles of poetry can express clear clues and insight as to what kind of message the writer is trying to get across to the reader. In particular, it examines the styles of William Shakespeare and Andrew Marvell through an analysis of Shakespeare's sonnets and Marvel's "His Coy Mistress". It shows how, for example, William Shakespeare wrote his sonnets in iambic pentameter, while Andrew Marvell sometimes utilized the spondee at the end of a line of poetry.
From the Paper "Marvell on the other hand used iambic tetrameter in his poems; this gives the writing a quicker, more playful speed and means it to be that way. Marvell, who constructed "To His Coy Mistress", in iambic tetrameter, meant for his poem to be lighthearted and a bit erotic so that the persona of the poem could snare his mistress. Marvell also incorporates the usage of a spondee into his poem. A spondee two accent syllables following an iamb (which again is an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable). Marvell also implores the use of couplets throughout his poem, which adds to the lightheartedness that was discussed earlier; this makes the poem what it is."
Abstract Persuasion can be a powerful tool. One poem that reveals one of the most popular examples of poetic persuasion is "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell. While many agree that this poem is a love poem, it is also an instrument the poet uses to his own advantage. The narrator is in love, but he also wants something in return. In short, his poem is an expression of love along with a healthy dose of desire. This paper shows that, in this poem, we see how the poet skillfully explains to his lover that, while her resistance to him is virtuous, they do have all the time in the world to be together. Through tone, structure, the use of metaphors, imagery, and rhetoric, the narrator creates a poem full of texture and experience.
From the Paper "Another interesting aspect of the poem is its structure. The poet uses pronouns in an interesting way. In the first section of the poem, the poet uses formal first and sceond-person pronouns when he describes how things might be if the two lovers had all the time in the world. The next section of the poem, the poet refers to his lover in second person as if to emphasize that fact that they do not have all the time in the world. By speaking to her this way, he is establishing a more distant and cold exchange with her. In the last section of the poem, the poet does not pronouns as he does in the first and second sections of the poem. In this way, he is establishing the fact that time waits for no one."
Abstract 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."
Tags: 19th, attitude, century, comparison, contrast, english, men, nineteenth, objectification, poem, poetry, romantic, sexism, women
Abstract The author of this paper states that, although he strongly disagrees with the 'carpe diem' theme of Marvell's poem, (he believes it is a disturbing and violent condemnation of the female body), he still finds Marvell's skill as an artist captivating and his poetry both interesting and enjoyable. The paper examines the insecurities of Marvell that can be seen in his poetry and its "carpe diem" theme--which basically says "sleep with me now, before you are old, ugly and, eventually, dead." It also defines and make additions to the text.
From the Paper "Marvell starts his second stanza with a vivid picture: he claims to hear "Time's winged chariot hurrying near." This is a reference to the sun, which was believed in ancient Greece to travel in a chariot across the sky; the sun also marks the passing of each day, which draws additional attention to the leitmotif of time. We can imagine the poet reading to his mistress; he is presumably facing her while time is racing to overtake him from behind-and she can see the oncoming of this onslaught. Humorously opportunistic, the author tells his mistress: "I'm not getting any younger; time's about to run me down; let's take off our clothes and seize the day!""
An analysis of the expressions of the short nature of human existence as portrayed in "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" by Robert Herrick and "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell.
Abstract This paper discusses two poems that are both rhetorical attempts by a man to woo a woman's heart and body - "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" by Robert Herrick and "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell. The paper specifically focuses on the poems' expressions of the deeper truth about the short nature of human existence and the inexorable passage of time.
From the Paper "One wonders what Marvell's mistress responded to him, or what the maidens would have said to Herrick if they knew what he thought of them, when he saw them literally carrying rosebuds, or simply tarrying by the wayside under the care of a guardian. It is possible that they may have regretted their chastity, and wanted to enjoy their sensuality but society forbade them sexuality before marriage. In that case, it is a pity that they did not or could not listen to the poet's words. But it is equally possible that they had different desires, invisible to the poet--to see the world, to live more empowering lives outside of the control of powerful fathers, brothers, and later husbands or lovers. And that is the true sadness of the young women's fates, that they never had a chance to write poetry about their own desire to carpe diem. Even Marvell and Herrick did not carpe diem as much as they would have liked, as human life was shorter, and old age was more painful when they wrote their verse."
A comparison of John Donne's message of life and love after death in in his poem, "Valediction Forbidding Mourning" with that of Andrew Marvell in his poem, "To His Coy Mistress."
1,301 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 0 sources, 2009, $ 43.95
Abstract This paper discusses the nature of life and human love after death as discussed by 17th century poets, Andrew Marvell and John Donne. The paper compares the imagery and messages presented by Donne in his poem, "Valediction Forbidding Mourning" and by Marvell in his poem, "To His Coy Mistress." The paper also compares the language that the poets use in conveying their messages.
From the Paper "Marvell's poem is addressed to a specific woman, a mistress unlike Donne's more vague, spiritual, androgynous and anonymous beloved. Marvell openly begs his coy mistress to come to bed with him--the poem begins as if he is rejecting a refusal she has just given him to do so. "Had we but world enough, and time, /This coyness, lady, were no crime." The poem then evolves in a series of hyperboles, or deliberately extreme statements, that make his appeal to his mistress humorous, rather than crassly sexual. To add to the humor of the poem, and to make the hyperbole even more delightfully absurd, Marvell uses religious references, like stating he "would Love you ten years before the Flood;" that he would wait for his beloved until "the conversion of the Jews," at the end of time, if it were not for his awareness that death awaits them both, and after death there is only a "desert" of "vast eternity.""
Abstract The following essay deals with the issues of woman sexuality as portrayed in "Possessing the Secret of Joy." It compares the notion of possession in the Western culture as a romantic notion, to the subject of Walker's book, that of genital mutilation to the African woman. The author also touches on the similarities in themes between "The Colour Purple" and this novel, focusing specifically on the African Woman and the discrimination she is subjected to.
From the paper:
?Female genital mutilation is a complex issue, not a simple issue of men victimizing women as it is often portrayed. It is a product of a particular cultural context. Walker makes this clear in the way that she unfolds her narrative. She does not only present things from Tashi's perspective. She also presents things from the perspective of those who lover her. At the time Tashi's story takes place in the present, Tashi is married to a man named Adam. Of course, what has been done to his wife affects him. This is most clear, not to put to fine a point on it, in terms of their sexual relationship.?
