Write a Critical Appreciation of Marvell’s Poem “To His Coy Mistress,”

Answer

Write a critical appreciation of Marvell’s poem “To His Coy Mistress”. [NU. 2015, 2017]

Andrew Marvell’s (1621-1678) “To His Coy Mistress” is a wonderful love poem. The poem was most likely written in the 1650s and published posthumously in 1681. Marvell uses the “carpe diem” theory in this poem. He says to his “coy mistress” that time moves very fast, and if they wait too long, they will lose the chance to enjoy love. So, he proposes that they should enjoy love now, while they are young and full of energy.    

Central Idea of the Poem: “To His Coy Mistress” is a perfect example of the “Carpe Diem” theory. It means “seize the day” or “enjoy the present moment.” The central idea of this poem is to enjoy the present moment. The poet tries to convince his beloved to enjoy love before time runs out.

At the beginning, Marvell says that if he had so much time, he would wait forever to love her slowly and gently. He would spend hundreds of years praising her eyes, breasts, and each part of her beauty. He says:

“An hundred years should go to praise

Thine eyes,…”

Then, Marvell changes his tone. He reminds her that time is passing quickly. He says he always hears:

“Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near;”

This means that death is always coming closer. He warns her that after death, her beauty will be gone. Nobody can enjoy love after death. So, Marvell proposes to her to enjoy love now, while they are still young and fresh.

Use of Conceits: A conceit is a clever, surprising comparison between two very different things. This poem is full of conceit. For example, Marvell compares his love to slow-growing vegetables. He says:

“My vegetable Love should grow

Vaster than Empires…”

Here, the poet means that he wants to admire her beauty patiently, by taking time like