Either you have sex with me or you die. This is a very strong
statement which, when said, has to get someone's attention; and that is
exactly what Andrew Marvell intends for the reader in this poem. He
wants the undivided attention of this mistress so that he can scare her
and rush her into making a decision the way he wants and in due time.
Filled with time flavored symbolism, this carpe diempoem, 'To His Coy
Mistress' by Andrew Marvell, exemplifies the seize the day theme.
The cyclical, life symbolizing river, the water flowing by like
time, is the first place Marvell places the characters. And even
though they are very far apart, time still flows by for them both. As
the water flows, this concept begins to hint at the shortness of time,
for them to have sex, the source of new life. He then proceeds to
claim that he could love her ten years before the flood, something
already ancient, and up to the end of the world, using the
juxtapositioning of the two views of time enhance his argument and to
convince to accept his offer by telling her of his long-term commitment
for her in the short-term.
Engraving of Andrew Marvell
English: Andrew Marvell (1621-1678)
A statue of the poet Andrew Marvell, located in Ki...This flood also symbolizes life in the
fresh start of the new covenant. Because time keeps going, with or
without them, they must be active participants and not just the static
spectator. Otherwise, the fate Marvell relates would become their
reality.
Marvell's vegetable love is rather oxymoronic. Love is not
normally like the uncaring, thoughtless, and noncommunicating plant.
And yet his love is vegetable in that it is not adaptable. She is the
water, food, and light for his love; and as long as she is there, he
will love her. She is evrerything that...