To His Coy Mistress Poem Analysis
"To His Coy Mistress" is a poem written by Andrew Marvell, not Mark Strand, in the 17th century. This metaphysical poem is known for its wit, persuasive language, and argumentative structure. It explores the themes of love, desire, and the passage of time, using vivid imagery and language to persuade the speaker's "coy mistress" to seize the moment and embrace their passion.
Structure: The poem is composed of three stanzas, each with a different focus in the argument. It follows a loose iambic tetrameter and has a couplet rhyme scheme (AABB CCDD). The structure supports the poem's persuasive nature by presenting a logical progression of ideas.
Imagery and Language: Marvell employs vivid imagery and hyperbolic language to convey his message. In the first stanza, he paints a picture of an idyllic, almost infinite courtship, using grand and exaggerated images like "An hundred years should go to praise / Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze." The second stanza introduces darker imagery to emphasize the passage of time and the inevitability of death, such as "Time's winged chariot hurrying near." In the third stanza, the imagery shifts again to reflect the urgency and passion of the speaker's argument, with lines like "Now let us sport us while we may."
Themes:
Carpe Diem: "To His Coy Mistress" is a classic example of a "carpe diem" poem, which encourages readers to seize the day and live in the present moment. The speaker argues that, due to the fleeting nature of life, they should not waste time on modesty and coyness but instead embrace their desires and passions.
Time and Mortality: The poem explores the themes of time and mortality, emphasizing the transience of human life. The speaker uses the passage of time to persuade his mistress to act on their feelings, reminding her that their youth and beauty are temporary and that death is inevitable.
Love and Desire: Love and desire are central themes in the poem. The speaker uses persuasive language and imagery to convince his mistress to surrender to her feelings and enjoy their physical relationship. The poem celebrates the power of love and desire to transcend the constraints of time and societal expectations.
Persuasion and Argument: The poem is structured as an argument, with the speaker presenting a logical progression of ideas to persuade his mistress. He begins by describing an idealized, infinite courtship, then introduces the reality of time and mortality, and finally offers a passionate solution to the problem. This theme emphasizes the power of language and persuasion in shaping human behavior and emotions.
In summary, "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell is a metaphysical poem that employs vivid imagery, persuasive language, and a logical structure to explore themes of love, desire, time, and mortality. The poem encourages readers to seize the day and embrace their passions, using the inevitability of death as a powerful motivator. Marvell's skillful use of language and argument make "To His Coy Mistress" a memorable and thought-provoking work that continues to resonate with readers today.