To his coy mistress

                                                                              -          Andrew Marvell, England (1621-1678)

I. Literal Comprehension

            Context: This poem is written by the English author and politician Andrew Marvell 1621-1678). It is a metaphysical poem that uses far-fetched comparison of very dissimilar things.

The speaker of the poem is a seductive young man who addresses a shy or demure woman who has been slow to respond to his sexual advances. In the first stanza, he describes how he would love her if he were to be free from normal duties and responsibilities. He could spend centuries admiring each part of her body. Her resistance to his advances would not discourage him. In the second stanza, he laments how short human life is. Once life is over, the opportunity to enjoy one another is gone. He frightens the woman by saying that she will soon be old and her beauty will be gone. When she will be dead, her long preserved virginity will be eaten by the worms. Then, her pride will be of no use. He will not be able to make love with her in the grave. In the last stanza, the speaker urges the woman to respond positively to his efforts. He argues that they should enjoy their youth now and have sexual pleasure.

II. Interpretation

Written as a carpe diem poem, it might be trying to tell us that we should live our life enjoying it and making ourselves burden-free, for human life is very short. Our youth doesn’t last long. Therefore, we must enjoy it when there is time or opportunity. 

III. Critical Thinking

            This poem is written with the logic: If…, But…, Therefore… I agree with the poet that our life is very short, so we must live it with full enjoyment and pleasure, and that we must do everything on time. But the seductive tone of the speaker of the poem has shocked me. I don’t agree with the poet that we should be hedonists for enjoying our lives. What type of society can we expect to have if the poet is taken seriously?   

IV. Assimilation

            After reading the poem, I have come to know what life is for some people who think bodily pleasure is everything. They might be around me, but I think I will never respect them.