Compare And Contrast Essay

Essay by PaperNerd ContributorHigh School, 12th grade September 2001

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The Renaissance period was a period of beautiful poetry. Two poets in particular, John Donne and Andrew Marvell wrote "˜carpe diem' poems full of vivid imagery. Each conveyed the image of "living for the now." This message can clearly been seen in Donne's A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning and Marvell's To his Coy Mistress. By using similes and specific rhyme schemes, these poems are very symbolic. Both of these poems are written from a very similar point of view, yet it is Marvell who writes with a more persuasive tone.

The main theme of Marvell's poem is to "seize the day." He is trying to convince the woman that it is much better to have sex now than to save her virginity for the future. This man wants to experience pleasure now, yet the woman wants to save herself for marriage. However, the speaker of the poem tries to convince the woman that his love is strong and never ending and she should take advantage of the time and opportunity.

"I would love you ten years before the flood" (line 8). This quote signifies that he will love her through thick and thin. Also, in line 38 he compares himself and the women to "amorous birds of prey." This comparison is intended to convince the woman that she should listen to her more rebellious side and that she should give in to her desires. The message here seems to be that we should take things as they come and enjoy life one step at a time. We should not always wait for the future because the future will bring worries and challenges of its own. This theme relates to all aspects of life, not just sex. In Donne's poem he also discusses a man's love for a woman and his passionate...