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168 Unit 2 ■ Analyzing Comparisons and Representations

INTRODUCING THE TEXT
Open the text by asking students to think like
anthropologists about modern-day courtship
practices: How does someone indicate that To His Coy Mistress
they’re romantically interested? What role does
gender play in courtship? How have courtship Andrew Marvell
processes and rituals changed in the past one
hundred years? THE TEXT IN CONTEXT
Copyright (c) 2023 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Uncorrected proofs were used with this sample chapter.
The poetry of Andrew Marvell (1621–1678), like the work of
IDEAS IN THE TEXT
other metaphysical poets, brims with vivid imagery, gaudy
Carpe Diem Infatuation metaphors, and brainy wit. In his most famous work, “To His
Time Persuasion Coy Mistress,” he uses a traditional form: the carpe diem (“seize
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.
Desire Liberation the day”) poem. This form has a long history, dating back over
2,000 years to the work of the Roman poet Horace. Carpe diem Culture Club/Getty Images
LITERARY CONCEPTS poems, like the following poem, urge an implied listener (almost
always a woman) to live in the present and enjoy immediate
Speaker Comparison pleasures.
Perspective Simile
Structure: Stanza Metaphor To His Coy Mistress
Shift Referent: Pronoun
1 Had we but world enough and time, ,
orld enough and time
Had w
e but w
This coyness, lady, were no crime.
TEXT RESOURCES 2 This coyness, lady, were no crime.
We would sit down, and think which way
TRM The reusable graphic organizers To walk, and pass our long love’s day.
identified on page 155 can be found in the 5 Thou by the Indian Ganges’ side
Teacher’s Resource Materials on the digital Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide
platform. Of Humber would complain. I would
Love you ten years before the flood,
And you should, if you please, refuse
1 REFERENT The speaker immediately 10 Till the conversion of the Jews.
My vegetable love should grow
introduces the subject in association with 3 My vegetable love should grow
Vaster than empires and more slow;
himself. The speaker sees himself literally and Vaster than empires and more slow;
figuratively with the subject and seeks a romantic An hundred years should go to praise
relationship with her. Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze;
15 Two hundred to adore each breast,
2 STRUCTURE The first stanza describes a But thirty thousand to the rest;
hypothetical scenario: the speaker hypothesizes 4 An age at least to every part,
An age at least to every part,
that if he and his lover had all the time in the And the last age should show your heart.
And the last age should show your heart.
world, they could pass the days away without a For, lady, you deserve this state,
care because the subject would eventually see 20 Nor would I love at lower rate.
how much the speaker loves and cherishes her. 5 But at my back I always hear
But at my back I always hear
6 Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near;
Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near;
3 METAPHOR Here and in several lines prior,
the speaker reveals an important part of his And yonder all before us lie
perspective: he is in love with the subject. He Deserts of vast eternity.
likens his love to a vegetable (or plant) that
expands naturally and gradually with ease.
4 PERSPECTIVE The speaker believes that with
enough time, the subject would eventually see 03_williamlit1e_46174_ch02_116_207.indd 168 22/09/22 9:45 AM
how lovingly he appreciates her physicality and CRITICAL APPROACHES CREATIVE WRITING
respond in mutual love and desire.
Philosophical Writing an Argument Poem
5 PRONOUNS The speaker shifts at the end of Scholar Michael Bryson, a professor in the Marvell’s poem takes an unusual approach to
the first stanza and the beginning of the second Department of English at California State convincing the woman to yield to his wishes. He
stanza to the use of separate pronouns ( you/ University writes, “The theme of love as sets up an “If, But, Then” argument. Ask students
your; thy; and I/my) to discuss the possibility of resistance to authority is the centerpiece of a to mimic this style in a three-paragraph letter that is
the subject prolonging the courtship indefinitely two-millennia-long tradition in Western poetry based on argument. They can address the letter to
(what the speaker refers to as her “coyness” in known as carpe diem (a phrase credited to the a teacher, parent, or friend. Brainstorm together as
line 2). Latin poet Horace).” Bryson argues that in “To a class for possible arguments (asking for extra
His Coy Mistress” Marvell is “emphasizing the credit from a teacher, asking for a date to prom,
6 METAPHOR The speaker compares time to carpe diem ethos’ potential to illustrate both the asking to extend curfew, asking to be excused from
a chariot bearing down upon humanity (i.e., the consequences and the necessity of individual a chore, etc.) Remind students to use all they have
inevitability of the passing of time and death).
erotic choice—especially female choice—in learned about using language such as perspective,
defiance of authority.” contrasts, associations, and comparisons, to write
an effective essay. Make sure they know to keep
the content light and perhaps witty, as Marvell did.

168 Unit 2 Analyzing Comparisons and Representations

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