Comment on Andrew Marvell’s use of wit and conceits in his poems.

Comment on Marvell’s use of wit and conceits in his poems.

Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) is known for his intellectual wit and creative use of conceits in his poetry. As a Metaphysical poet, Marvell often blended complex ideas with imaginative comparisons. With his witty arguments and conceits, Marvell surprised his readers and made them think deeply about his themes. His poems, such as “To His Coy Mistress” and “The Definition of Love,” showcase how skillfully he used wit and conceits to explore love, time, and human emotions.

Wit in Marvell’s Poetry: Wit, in poetry, refers to cleverness and intellectual humor. Marvell’s wit is sharp and thought-provoking. His wit often makes his arguments more persuasive and engaging. In “To His Coy Mistress,” for example, the speaker urges his lover to make the most of their time by having sex and not waiting for death. He argues that they don’t have “world enough and time” to waste. He begins the poem by imagining an ideal world where they have unlimited time for love. He says, 

Had we but world enough, and time,

This coyness, lady, were no crime.

This means that if they had endless time, her coyness (shyness or reluctance) would not matter. This witty opening catches the reader’s attention and sets up his argument.

Marvell’s wit becomes darker and more intense as he discusses the reality of time and death. He vividly describes death with lines like,

Then worms shall try

That long-preserved virginity,

This shocking line reminds the mistress that her beauty and purity will mean nothing in the grave. With this witty argument, Marvell shocks the reader. By combining humor with grim imagery, Marvell balances lightness and seriousness. He can create a powerful emotional impact with his use of wit.

Conceits in Marvell’s Poetry: A conceit is an extended metaphor or unusual comparison that links two seemingly unrelated things. Marvell’s conceits are imaginative, intellectual, and central to his poetry. In “To His Coy Mistress,” he compares his love to a “vegetable,” saying, 

My vegetable love should grow

Vaster than empires and more slow.

With this conceit, the speaker compares his love with slow-growing vegetables. Here, the speaker makes his point that, if he had enough time, he would love his beloved taking all the time in the world. His slow-growing love would grow bigger than vast empires. The speaker tries to convince his mistress that, since they do not have enough time, they should consume their love by having sex.

In “The Definition of Love,” Marvell uses an elaborate conceit of parallel lines to describe the impossible love between the speaker and his beloved. The speaker says,

But ours, so truly parallel,

Though infinite, can never meet.

This conceit highlights the perfection and impossibility of their love. This conceit also emphasizes that their separation makes their love pure and eternal. Again, Marvell compares the love of the lovers with the poles of the Earth. The speaker and his beloved are like the North and South Poles. This conceit suggests that, though their love is perfectly aligned, it is destined never to meet.

How Wit and Conceits Work Together: Marvell’s wit and conceits often work hand in hand to make his poetry memorable. In “To His Coy Mistress,” his witty arguments about time and mortality are strengthened by vivid conceits, such as time being a “wingèd chariot hurrying near.” The poet writes:

But at my back I always hear

Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near.

This powerful conceit represents time as a “wingèd chariot” that is chasing them. The speaker warns his mistress that if they wait too long, death will come, and all opportunities for love and pleasure will be lost.

Similarly, in “The Definition of Love,” the conceit of parallel lines is enhanced by the speaker’s clever reasoning about love, fate, and perfection.

In conclusion, Marvell’s use of wit and conceits is what makes his poetry so unique and engaging. His cleverness entertains readers while also encouraging them to think deeply about complex ideas. His conceits, though sometimes strange or unexpected, help him explore profound emotions like love and loss. Together, wit and conceits give Marvell’s poetry a balance of intellectual depth and emotional resonance.