Transcript
Page 1: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel [1650]

Coy: Affectedly and usually flirtatiously shy or modest. To allure; to entice; to decoy. Playing hard to get.

Page 2: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

StarterWrite about a time on holiday when you successfully or unsuccessfully tried to ‘chat up’ a girl. Think about what worked in your conversation or why you might have failed.

(If you have not been in this position use your imagination or write about a friend’s experience.)

Page 3: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Learning Objectives

As we study this poem you will learn about:

• The story of the poem• The term ’carpe diem’.• More about the terms,

Metaphor: Tone: Imagery.• You will also complete some mini

tasks, a test and an assignment on the poem.

Page 4: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew MarvelAssignment

To His Coy Mistress is known as a ‘Carpe diem’ poem where the man is trying to persuade the woman to his point of view. In Macbeth Act 1 Sc7 we have the opposite situation as Lady Macbeth tries to persuade her husband to kill the king and seize the throne. In your assignment discuss and compare the methods these two characters use to try to get their own way and ‘seize the day.’ 600-800 words by Thursday 27 Feb.

Hwk: For Sunday 2nd Feb – Who was Andrew Marvel and what was unusual about the publication of this poem?

Page 5: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.My vegetable love should growVaster than empires, and more slow;An hundred years should go to praiseThine eyes and on thy forehead gaze;Two hundred to adore each breast,But thirty thousand to the rest;An age at least to every part,And the last age should show your heart.For, Lady, you deserve this state,Nor would I love at lower rate.

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 1What is the three part structure of the Poem?

Page 6: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.My vegetable love should growVaster than empires, and more slow;An hundred years should go to praiseThine eyes and on thy forehead gaze;Two hundred to adore each breast,But thirty thousand to the rest;An age at least to every part,And the last age should show your heart.For, Lady, you deserve this state,Nor would I love at lower rate.

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 1What is the tree part structure of the Poem?If (Had), But, Therefore.Mini Task 2What form does the poem take?

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Had we but world enough, and time,

But at my back I always hear

Now therefore, while the youthful hue

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 2What form does the poem take?

The form of the poem is an argument.

Argument:In logic and philosophy, an argument is an attempt to persuade someone of something, by giving reasons for accepting a particular conclusion as evident.

Mini Task 3Sum up the three main points in the argument the man makes.

Page 8: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 3Sum up the three main points in the argument the man makes.

1. If we had all the time in the world I would have time enough to make you fall in love with me.

2. But we don’t have all the time in the world, not even all the time in our lifetime.

3. So let me seduce you now!

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew MarvelThe Story of the Poem

This is the best recognized ’carpe diem’ (seize the day) poem in English Literature. In the poem, the speaker addresses a 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 unencumbered by the constraints of a normal lifespan. He could spend centuries admiring each part of her body and her resistance to his advances , that is her coyness, would not discourage him. In the second stanza, he laments how short human life is. Once life is over, the speaker contends, the opportunity to enjoy one another is gone, as no one embraces in death. In the last stanza, the speaker urges the woman to accept his advances, and argues that in loving one another with passion they will both make the most of the brief time they have to liveMini Task 4 :- Summarise the story of the poem.

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew MarvelThe Structure of the Poem

Mini Task 5 :- How is the poem structured?

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew MarvelThe Structure of the Poem

Mini Task 5 :- How is the poem structured ?• The poem’s structure is 3 uneven stanzas: of 20, 12 & 14 lines.• Each line has 8 syllables.• It is written in rhyming couplets, which is one of its Key Features. These structural features help to give the poem a strong rhythm.

Mini Task 6What are the poem’s other Key Features?

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew MarvelThe Structure of the Poem – Key Features

Mini Task 6What are the poem’s other Key Features?• Alliteration• Imagery • Metaphor • Simile

Mini Task 7On your copy of the poem, find and mark up as many examples of alliteration as you can.

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Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.My vegetable love should growVaster than empires, and more slow;An hundred years should go to praiseThine eyes and on thy forehead gaze;Two hundred to adore each breast,But thirty thousand to the rest; An age at least to every part,And the last age should show your heart For, Lady, you deserve this state,Nor would I love at lower rate.

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sun Stand still, yet we will make him run.

Mini Task 7 : Key Features - Alliteration

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew MarvelKey Features – Imagery

Mini Task 8 - Imagery.From each stanza

1. select one image you find interesting2. Explain why you have selected that image.

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew MarvelKey Features – Imagery

Mini Task 8From each stanza

1. select one image you find interesting

2. Explain why you have selected that image.

Principal Imagery Stanza 1Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.My vegetable love should growVaster than empires, and more slow;An hundred years should go to praiseThine eyes and on thy forehead gaze;Two hundred to adore each breast,But thirty thousand to the rest;An age at least to every part,And the last age should show your heart.For, Lady, you deserve this state,Nor would I love at lower rate.

Ganges: Great river of the plains of northern IndiaHumber: a large tidal estuary on the east coast of Northern England

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew MarvelKey Features – Imagery

Mini Task 8From each stanza

1. select one image you find interesting2. Explain why you have selected that image.Principal Imagery Stanza 2

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

There are examples of imagery in every line of Stanza 2, some of which are examples of sensory imagery others are sexual imagery.

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew MarvelKey Features – Imagery

Mini Task 8From each stanza

1. select one image you find interestingPrincipal Imagery Stanza 3

Again there are examples of imagery in every line of Stanza 2, many of which are violent, sexual images.

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Languish: be forced to remain in an unpleasant place or situation.Strife: angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict.

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew MarvelKey Features – Metaphor

Mini Task 9From each stanza

1. Select one Metaphor you find interesting2. Explain what you think that metaphor means.

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew MarvelKey Features – Metaphor

Mini Task 9From each stanza

1. Select one Metaphor you find interesting

2. Explain what you think that metaphor means.

Stanza 1Till the conversion of the Jews.

My vegetable love should growVaster than empires, and more slow;

Stanza 2 Time's winged chariot hurrying near; Deserts of vast eternity. And your quaint honour

But none, I think, do there embrace.

Stanza 3 ….youthful hue Sits on thy skin like morning dew,

At every pore with instant fires,

Now let us sport Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,

And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:

Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 20: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew MarvelKey Features – Simile

Mini Task 10From each stanza

1. Select one Simile from Stanza 3 you find interesting2. Explain what you think that simile means. Now therefore, while the youthful hue

Sits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 21: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew MarvelKey Features – Simile

Mini Task 10From each stanza

1. Select one Simile from Stanza 3 you find interesting2. Explain what you think that simile means. Now therefore, while the youthful hue

Sits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 22: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 11In look at the first two lines of the poem again write down what you think they mean.

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crime

hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

Page 23: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 11In look at the first two lines of the poem again write down what you think they mean.

If we had all the time in the world, it would be OK(no crime) for you to play hard to get and we could take all the time we want…..

Mini Task 12….to do what?

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crime

hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 12….to do what?Get to know each other and truly fall in love.….and….For me to seduce you!

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeDeserts of vast eternity.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 13• What is the ‘tone’ of the second couplet?• What are the words that help determine this tone?

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.

Deserts of vast eternity.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

Page 26: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 13• What is the ‘tone’ of the second couplet? Romantic•What are the words that help determine this tone? long love’s day

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.

Deserts of vast eternity.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

Page 27: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 14• What is the principal imagery of theses 4 lines?

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,

Deserts of vast eternity.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

Page 28: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 14• What is the principal imagery of theses 4 lines? Water – 2 rivers and a flood

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,

Deserts of vast eternity.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

Page 29: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 15• Why use ‘the conversion of Jews’ as a measure of time?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.

Page 30: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 15• Why use ‘the conversion of Jews’ as a measure of time?• So what does the metaphor mean?• Look at the whole stanza up to this point. How long will his love last?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.

Page 31: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 15• Why use ‘the conversion of Jews’ as a measure of time? Because it will never happen•So what does the metaphor mean? She could refuse his advances until the end of time and he would still love her.•Look at the whole stanza up to this point. How long will his love last? For all eternity – since before the Biblical flood until the end of days.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.

Page 32: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Learning Objectives

As we study this poem you will learn about:

• The story of the poem• The term ’carpe diem’.• More about the terms,

Metaphor: Tone: Imagery.• You will also complete some mini

tasks, a test and an assignment on the poem.

12A 140203

Page 33: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 16This is the most controversial and talked about couplet in the poem.Our modern interpretation of the metaphor is probably quite different to Andrew Marvel’s when he wrote the poem in 1650. What are these two interpretations likely to be?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.My vegetable love should growVaster than empires, and more slow;

Page 34: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 161. The traditional interpretation is

that his love would grow slowly and steadily, like a forest spreading out over a landscape. This reflects the sense of eternal time established in the previous few lines.

2. A more modern reading sees the ‘vegetables’ as a phallic symbol and the metaphor as much more sexual. This interpretation leads us away from romance and on to the more sexual language used later in the poem.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.My vegetable love should growVaster than empires, and more slow;

Page 35: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 17What do you notice about the direction of travel of the imagery in these lines?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.My vegetable love should growVaster than empires, and more slow;An hundred years should go to praiseThine eyes and on thy forehead gaze;Two hundred to adore each breast,But thirty thousand to the rest;An age at least to every part,And the last age should show your heart.

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 17What do you notice about the direction of travel of the imagery in these lines?Down….to the ‘rest’ and then into her heart.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.My vegetable love should growVaster than empires, and more slow;An hundred years should go to praiseThine eyes and on thy forehead gaze;Two hundred to adore each breast,But thirty thousand to the rest;An age at least to every part,And the last age should show your heart.

Page 37: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 18What is wrong with the last 2 lines of the stanza .

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.My vegetable love should growVaster than empires, and more slow;An hundred years should go to praiseThine eyes and on thy forehead gaze;Two hundred to adore each breast,But thirty thousand to the rest;An age at least to every part,And the last age should show your heart.For, Lady, you deserve this state,Nor would I love at lower rate.

Page 38: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 18What is wrong with the last 2 lines of the stanza .It is a lie or at the very least hyperbolic flattery! He flatters her by telling her she deserves eternal courtship and that he would not want to speed the courtship up to a higher rate. But you will discover in the next two stanzas his true intentions.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 1

Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, Lady, were no crimeWe would sit down and think which wayTo walk and pass our long love's day.Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find: I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood,And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.My vegetable love should growVaster than empires, and more slow;An hundred years should go to praiseThine eyes and on thy forehead gaze;Two hundred to adore each breast,But thirty thousand to the rest;An age at least to every part,And the last age should show your heart.For, Lady, you deserve this state,Nor would I love at lower rate.

Page 39: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 19• What is the Key Word in the opening line of Stanza 2?•What type of poetic device is ‘Time's ‘wingèd chariot ‘?• What has happened to pace/tone in this stanza?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 2

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 19• What is the Key Word in the opening line of Stanza 2? ‘But’… and it undoes all the romantic flattery of Stanza 1.•What type of poetic device is ‘Time's ‘wingèd chariot ‘? Personification…time is not human and does not have a chariot! • What has happened to pace/tone in this stanza? It becomes slightly faster and more urgent.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 2

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 20• What has happened to ‘eternity in these two lines?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 2

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 20• What has happened to ‘eternity in these two lines?Suddenly it is not something to look forward to, it is now a vast ‘desert’ going on forever. 30,000 years doesn't seem so appealing anymore!

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 2

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 21• Where are the characters now?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 2

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

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To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 21• Where are the characters now?Dead and buried in a marble tomb, never to see each other again.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 2

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

Page 45: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 22• What is the Key Word in these lines?• What point is the man trying to make here?• What is the word that shows he is patronising his lady-love?• Why does the ‘honour turn to dust?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 2

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

Page 46: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 22• What is the Key Word in these lines? ‘Virginity.’• What point is the man trying to make here? There is no point in keeping your virginity because you could die tomorrow and you would die without consummating our relationship.• What is the word that shows he is patronising his lady-love? ‘quaint’• Why does the ‘honour turn to dust? It will rot away, just like her body.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 2

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

Quaint: Charmingly odd, especially in an old-fashioned way. So he’s calling her desire to retain her modesty and her morals, ‘old fashioned’….remember this was written in 1650 and this attitude seems very ‘modern’ to me!

Page 47: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 23• What is the significance of this line?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 2

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

Page 48: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 23• What is the significance of this line?It is the core of the poem. It is what the poem is all about. The poet makes this seem like a Love poem by using lots of ‘flowery,’ romantic, expressions in Stanza 1. All he is trying to do is talk this lady into bed. He gives himself away here as he could just as easily said ‘ashes all my love’, but he chooses not to. So this then, is a LUST poem, not a LOVE poem!

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 2

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

Page 49: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Learning Objectives

As we study this poem you will learn about:

• The story of the poem• The term ’carpe diem’.• More about the terms,

Metaphor: Tone: Imagery.• You will also complete some mini

tasks, a test and an assignment on the poem.

12B 140216

Page 50: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 24• What are the Key Words in these lines?• What point is the man trying to make here?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 2

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

Page 51: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 24• What are the Key Words in these lines? Grave & Embrace• What point is the man trying to make here?You can’t be deader than dead and when you are dead you have no one to cuddle up to as you lie dead, cold and alone in your grave……but, on the other hand, there's always me, here , now!

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 2

But at my back I always hearTime's wingèd chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity. Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song: then worms shall tryThat long preserved virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust:The grave 's a fine and private place,But none, I think, do there embrace.

Page 52: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 25• What is the significance of ‘therefore’?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 53: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 25• What is the significance of ‘therefore’?This is the final phase in an Aristotelian/Logical argument. For this classical form you need two premises and one conclusion to form the basic argumentative structure. Premise 1 + Premise 2, therefore = Logical conclusion ex.All men die. Ahmed is a man. Therefore Ahmed will die. So the argument in the poem goes ‘Had we all the time in the world…… but we don’t have all the time in the world…..Therefore…..[Mini Task 26] Therefore what?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 54: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 26• What ?You must let me seduce you now while we are young and beautiful and there is still time!

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 55: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 26Therefore…..• What ?You must let me seduce you now while we are young and beautiful and there is still time!

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 56: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 27• What is the significance of ‘morning dew’?Like youth [youthful hue], it is temporary and doesn't’ last.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 57: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 28• Explain the metaphor in these two lines.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 58: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 28• Explain the metaphor in these two lines.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Transpired: Become known; happened. If it transpires that something has happened, this previously secret or unknown fact becomes known:

Page 59: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 28• Explain the metaphor in these two lines. He now assumes she is or has always been willing to be seduced and it ‘transpired’ that that truth was hidden….in other words she has been playing ‘hard to get’ or been ‘coy’! Not only is she ‘willing’ but her hidden desire is so powerful it is escaping from every ‘pore’ almost as though she is on ‘fire.’

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Transpired: Become know; something has happened, was previously secret or unknown becomes known: ex. It transpired that Manchester United suffered after Alex Ferguson retired.

Page 60: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 29• Explain what ‘sport’ means.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 61: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 29• Explain what ‘sport’ means.A sexual liaison which he now treats as a game. Note there is no reference to ‘love’ anymore, this is just a physical, sexual act.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 62: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Learning Objectives

As we study this poem you will learn about:

• The story of the poem• The term ’carpe diem’.• More about the terms,

Metaphor: Tone: Imagery.• You will also complete some mini

tasks, a test and an assignment on the poem.

12A & B 140217

Page 63: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Lines 1-5 Résumé• What is important about the

opening words of the stanza?• What does the metaphor

‘morning dew’ mean?• What does ‘instant fires’ really

refer to?• What is significant about the

word ‘sport’?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 64: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 30• What is wrong with ‘amorous birds of prey’ as a simile?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 65: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 30• What is wrong with ‘amorous birds of prey’ as a simile? We do not usually connect birds of prey with romantic allusions. They are vicious and violent creatures that hunt smaller weaker prey, as he perhaps has hunted her? Normally we associate Doves or Bluebirds with love so what the poet is suggesting here perhaps is that any physical union between this couple will be ‘violent’ [not gentle and romantic], and this takes us back to the urgent need to satisfy the ‘fire’ of their desire.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Vocabulary Allusion: an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference:

Page 66: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 31• What do these lines echo from Stanza 2?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Vocabulary Languish: lose or lack vitality; grow weak; be forced to remain in an unpleasant place or situation.Chapt: = chaps or jaws.

Page 67: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 31• What do these lines echo from Stanza 2? ‘Times wingeď chariot’ Our lives are eaten away by time, here the man is trying to reverse this by ‘devouring’ Time. "slow-chapped power" means "slowly devouring jaws“ so here he is saying that instead of their lives being eaten away by time, together they could escape death’s jaws, if only for a moment. So, they must not waste another minute as slaves to Time.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Vocabulary Languish: lose or lack vitality; grow weak; be forced to remain in an unpleasant place or situation.Chapt: = chaps or jaws.

Page 68: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 32• What is the image that is being presented in this couplet?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 69: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 32• What is the image that is being presented in this couplet?

A sexual union as the couple embrace. But the inclusion of the word ‘strength’ once again places the emphasis on the physicality of the union. It is offset somewhat by the later inclusion of ‘sweetness’ which is possibly the only ‘romantic’ word in the stanza…. However, the ‘romance’ only lasts a moment.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 70: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 33• What might ‘tearing pleasures‘ be an allusion to?• What does ‘rough strife’ echo?• What are the ‘iron gates of life’?

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 71: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 33• What might tearing pleasures be an allusion to?Another violent image and one which may refer to the tearing involved with the loss of her ‘long preserved virginity’.•What does ‘rough strife’ echo? The ‘sport’ & ‘amorous birds of prey’ referred to earlier. Nothing romantic or gentle here.• What are the ‘iron gates of life’?A woman’s pelvis, which of course contains the birth canal.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 72: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 34• Explain the final metaphor.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 73: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 34• Explain the final metaphor.If the sun stands still, then time stands still, so by agreeing to enter a sexual relationship with him, the poet is saying that though they may not be able to stop Time, they can give him a good run for his money or at the very least freeze this moment of pleasure in time forever.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 74: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 35Stanza 3 summary

• What is the principal function of Stanza 3?• What is the ‘tone’ of the imagery used in Stanza 3?• What is missing from Stanza 3 when you compare it to Stanza 1. • Sum up the poem in three lines.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 75: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew Marvel

Mini Task 35Stanza 3 summary

• What is the principal function of Stanza 3? It is the final part of a three part argument, and the one where the poet is focusing on consummating the relationship.• What is the ‘tone’ of the imagery used in Stanza 3? Violent and sexual. • What is missing from Stanza 3 when you compare it to Stanza 1. Romance or love.• Sum up the poem in three lines.1. If we had all the time in the world I

would love you forever.2. But we don’t have all the time in the

world.3. So we have to seize the opportunity to

become lovers now.

The Poem In Detail - Stanza 3

Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may,And now, like amorous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devourThan languish in his slow-chapt power.Let us roll all our strength and allOur sweetness up into one ball,And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life:Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

Page 76: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

To His Coy Mistress – Andrew MarvelAssignment

To His Coy Mistress is known as a ‘Carpe diem’ poem where the man is trying to persuade the woman to his point of view. In Macbeth Act 1 Sc7 we have the opposite situation as Lady Macbeth tries to persuade her husband to kill the king and seize the throne. In your assignment discuss and compare the methods these two characters use to try to get their own way and ‘seize the day.’ 600-800 words by Thursday 6 March.

Page 77: To His Coy Mistress  – Andrew Marvel [ 1650]

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