“To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell: A Critique

1. Had we but world enough and time,
2. This coyness, lady, were no crime.
3. We would sit down, and think which way
4. To walk, and pass our long love’s day.
5. Thou by the Indian Ganges’ side
6. Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide
7. Of Humber would complain. I would
8. Love you ten years before the flood,
9. And you should, if you please, refuse
10. Till the conversion of the Jews.
11. My vegetable love should grow
12. Vaster than empires and more slow;
13. An hundred years should go to praise
14. Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze;
15. Two hundred to adore each breast,
16. But thirty thousand to the rest;
17. An age at least to every part,
18. And the last age should show your heart.
19. For, lady, you deserve this state,
20. Nor would I love at lower rate.
21. But at my back I always hear
22. Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near;
23. And yonder all before us lie
24. Deserts of vast eternity.
25. Thy beauty shall no more be found;
26. Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound
27. My echoing song; then worms shall try
28. That long-preserved virginity,
29. And your quaint honour turn to dust,
30. And into ashes all my lust;
31. The grave’s a fine and private place,
32. But none, I think, do there embrace.
33. Now therefore, while the youthful hue
34. Sits on thy skin like morning dew,
35. And while thy willing soul transpires
36. At every pore with instant fires,
37. Now let us sport us while we may,
38. And now, like amorous birds of prey,
39. Rather at once our time devour
40. Than languish in his slow-chapped power.
41. Let us roll all our strength and all
42. Our sweetness up into one ball,
43. And tear our pleasures with rough strife
44. Through the iron gates of life:
45. Thus, though we cannot make our sun
46. Stand still, yet we will make him run.

Introduction: “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell

“To His Coy Mistress”by Andrew Marvell is a 17th-century metaphysical poem that was first published in 1681, several years after the author’s death. The poem has since become one of Marvell’s most famous works and has been widely anthologized and studied for its complex themes and ingenious use of language. Its popularity can be attributed to its timeless appeal, which speaks to the universal human experience of love, time, and mortality. Some of the poem’s good features include its clever argumentation, the vivid imagery used to convey the speaker’s desires, and the use of a range of poetic devices, such as hyperbole, paradox, and allusion, which add depth and richness to the poem’s meaning.

Annotations of “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell

Verse	Word/Phrase	Annotation
1-2	Coyness	Refers to shyness or reluctance, particularly in the context of romance or sexual relations
5	Indian Ganges	A river in India, known for its cultural and religious significance
6	Humber	A large tidal estuary on the east coast of England
8	Ten years before the flood	Alludes to the biblical story of Noah’s Ark, which involved a great flood that destroyed the world
10	Conversion of the Jews	Refers to the biblical prophecy of the conversion of Jews to Christianity before the end of the world
11	Vegetable love	Refers to a slow-growing, organic type of love
12	Vaster than empires	A hyperbolic expression, indicating a love that is larger than the greatest empires
22	Time’s wingèd chariot	A metaphor for time, which is personified as a chariot that rushes forward
24	Deserts of vast eternity	Refers to the endless and barren expanse of time and space
26	Marble vault	Refers to a tomb or burial chamber made of marble
28	Quaint honour	Refers to an old-fashioned or peculiar sense of honor
40	Languish	To suffer from being forced to wait or endure something unpleasantly long or slow
43	Rough strife	Refers to passionate and intense sexual activity
44	Iron gates of life	A metaphor for the obstacles and limitations of mortality

Literary Devices in “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell

Literary Device	Verse	Identification, Meanings, and Explanations
Alliteration	Thy beauty shall no more be found	The repetition of the sound of “sh” in the words “shall” and “be” creates an alliteration, which helps to emphasize the idea that the subject’s beauty is fleeting and will not last forever.
Allusion	Had we but world enough and time	The speaker alludes to the story of the biblical figure Lazarus, who was resurrected from the dead by Jesus after being dead for four days. The speaker uses this allusion to emphasize the idea that he would love the subject for much longer than four days if he had the time.
Anaphora	And into ashes all my lust	The repetition of the phrase “and” at the beginning of each clause creates an anaphora, which emphasizes the speaker’s sense of loss and despair at the thought of the subject’s beauty fading away.
Antithesis	My vegetable love should grow vaster than empires and more slow	The contrast between the growth of the speaker’s love and the growth of empires creates an antithesis, which emphasizes the idea that the speaker’s love is deep and enduring.
Apostrophe	For, lady, you deserve this state	The speaker addresses the subject directly as if she were present, even though she is not. This creates an apostrophe, which emphasizes the speaker’s admiration and affection for the subject.
Assonance	But none, I think, do there embrace	The repetition of the sound of “uh” in the words “none” and “embrace” creates an assonance, which helps to emphasize the idea that the grave is a cold and lonely place where people do not experience physical intimacy.
Consonance	Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide	The repetition of the “d” sound in the words “shouldst”, “rubies”, “find”, “tide”, and “would” creates a consonance, which helps to emphasize the contrast between the speaker’s and the subject’s settings.
Enjambment	And tear our pleasures with rough strife	The sentence is continued over two lines, creating an enjambment, which emphasizes the idea that the speaker and the subject should seize the moment and enjoy their pleasures while they can.
Hyperbole	Two hundred to adore each breast	The exaggeration of the amount of time it would take to adore each breast creates a hyperbole, which emphasizes the speaker’s intense desire and admiration for the subject’s body.
Imagery	By the Indian Ganges’ side	The mention of the Indian Ganges creates a vivid image of a beautiful and exotic location, which helps to emphasize the contrast between the speaker’s and the subject’s settings.
Irony	This coyness, lady, were no crime	The speaker uses irony to express his frustration with the subject’s reluctance to be with him. By saying that her coyness is not a crime, he implies that it is actually a problem.

Functions of Literary Devices in “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell

1. The use of imagery in “To His Coy Mistress” creates a vivid and romantic atmosphere that appeals to the senses. Marvell uses striking imagery to illustrate the lavish lifestyle he would give to his mistress if they had enough time. For instance, he compares her beauty to rubies that could be found by the Indian Ganges, and describes how he would love her body for centuries. These images convey his passionate desire for her and help to build a sense of urgency in the poem. For example, in lines 27-28, Marvell writes, “My echoing song; then worms shall try / That long-preserved virginity.” The use of such imagery helps to create a sense of loss and underscores the need for them to seize the moment.
2. Marvell also employs metaphysical conceit throughout the poem to compare his love to a mathematical equation. For instance, he compares time to a winged chariot that is constantly moving forward, urging them to make the most of the present moment. He also compares his love to a vegetable that grows slowly and steadily over time. These metaphors help to convey the sense that time is fleeting and that they must act quickly to enjoy each other’s company.
3. The persuasive tone employed by Marvell is evident throughout the poem as he tries to convince his mistress to have sex with him. He uses flattery and seductive language to appeal to her vanity and desires. For example, he tells her that she deserves to be loved like a queen, and that they should not waste their time languishing in the slow passage of time. This tone creates a sense of urgency and appeal to the reader, making the poem more engaging and captivating.
4. The use of rhyme and meter in the poem creates a regular rhythm and a musical quality. Marvell uses iambic tetrameter, which creates a rhythm that adds to the persuasive tone of the poem. The rhyming couplets at the end of each line underscore the importance of each idea and help to build towards the end of the poem, where the sense of urgency is the greatest. For example, in lines 41-42, Marvell writes, “Let us roll all our strength and all / Our sweetness up into one ball.” The use of rhyme and meter here creates a sense of momentum and energy that helps to convey the importance of seizing the moment.

Themes in “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell

1. Time and Mortality

The theme of time and mortality is central to the poem. Marvell argues that time is fleeting, and we should make the most of the present moment. He urges his mistress to seize the day and enjoy their love while they still can, for soon they will both be old and their beauty will fade. Marvell personifies time as a winged chariot, constantly moving forward and reminding us of our mortality. He writes, “But at my back I always hear / Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near” (lines 21-22).

2. The Power of Love

Another theme in the poem is the power of love. Marvell argues that his love for his mistress is so strong that it could move mountains and defy time itself. He uses vivid imagery and metaphysical conceit to describe the extent of his love, saying, “My vegetable love should grow / Vaster than empires and more slow” (lines 11-12). He believes that love has the power to conquer even death, writing, “Thus, though we cannot make our sun / Stand still, yet we will make him run” (lines 45-46).

3. Seduction and Persuasion

The theme of seduction and persuasion is also prevalent in the poem. Marvell uses flattery, imagery, and persuasive language to convince his mistress to have sex with him. He argues that since time is constantly moving forward and they cannot stop it, they should make the most of the present moment and enjoy each other’s company. He appeals to his mistress’s vanity and desires, saying that she deserves to be loved like a queen. He writes, “For, lady, you deserve this state, / Nor would I love at lower rate” (lines 19-20).

4. Gender Roles and Sexuality

Finally, the poem explores the themes of gender roles and sexuality. Marvell portrays his mistress as coy and hesitant, and himself as a passionate lover. He challenges traditional gender roles by taking an active role in seducing his mistress, rather than waiting for her to make the first move. He also suggests that sexual pleasure is a natural and desirable part of human experience, writing, “Let us roll all our strength and all / Our sweetness up into one ball, / And tear our pleasures with rough strife / Through the iron gates of life” (lines 41-44).

Literary Theories and Interpretations of “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell

1. Feminist Interpretation: In the poem, the speaker objectifies the woman and places her in a position of subjugation. The woman is passive and lacks agency while the male speaker is active and has all the power. The line “Now let us sport us while we may” implies that the woman is not in control of her own desires. Evidences: Throughout the poem, the woman is portrayed as an object to be possessed, “Thine eyes,” “each breast,” and “the rest.” The speaker’s desire for physical pleasure takes priority over any emotional connection with the woman.
2. Carpe Diem Interpretation: The poem reflects the Carpe Diem theme, urging the reader to seize the day and live in the present moment. The speaker argues that life is short and time is fleeting, and therefore, the lovers should not waste any more time. Evidences: The speaker uses imagery of time, “Had we but world enough and time,” “Time’s wingèd chariot,” and “Deserts of vast eternity.” The speaker urges the woman to “roll all our strength and all our sweetness up into one ball,” emphasizing the importance of living in the present.
3. Metaphysical Interpretation: The poem employs metaphysical conceits to explore the relationship between the speaker and the woman. The poem uses elaborate and far-fetched analogies to describe the speaker’s love for the woman. Evidences: The speaker’s “vegetable love” that grows “vaster than empires” and his desire to love the woman for “two hundred to adore each breast.” The poem is characterized by its use of paradoxes, such as “slow-chapped power” and “amorous birds of prey.”
4. Social Commentary Interpretation: The poem is a commentary on the social norms and expectations of the time period in which it was written. Marvell critiques the social constructs of courtship and gender roles. Evidences: The poem’s opening lines, “Had we but world enough and time, This coyness, lady, were no crime” suggest that the woman is expected to be coy and passive in courtship. The speaker also undermines traditional gender roles by portraying himself as the passive one who would “complain” by the Humber river.

Essay Topics, Questions, Thesis Statements about “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell

1. Topic: The Theme of Carpe Diem in “To His Coy Mistress”

Question: How does Andrew Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress” exemplify the theme of Carpe Diem, and how does it relate to the speaker’s argument to his beloved?

Thesis Statement: Through the speaker’s vivid imagery and persuasive language, “To His Coy Mistress” effectively conveys the Carpe Diem theme by urging his beloved to seize the present moment and indulge in love and pleasure before the inevitability of time and death take hold.

• Topic: The Use of Figurative Language in “To His Coy Mistress”

Question: How does Andrew Marvell employ figurative language in “To His Coy Mistress” to convey his speaker’s message and strengthen his argument?

Thesis Statement: Through the strategic use of metaphors, allusions, and imagery, Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress” effectively conveys the speaker’s urgency and heightens the emotional intensity of his argument to his beloved.

• Topic: The Role of Women in “To His Coy Mistress”

Question: How does Andrew Marvell portray women in “To His Coy Mistress,” and what does this reveal about the societal attitudes towards women during the seventeenth century? Thesis Statement: Despite the speaker’s attempt to flatter and woo his beloved, Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress” ultimately reveals the objectification of women and the societal expectations that they are meant to submit to male desires and demands.

• Topic: The Impact of Time on Love in “To His Coy Mistress”

Question: How does Andrew Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress” explore the relationship between time and love, and how does the speaker’s argument reflect the inevitability of time’s impact on human relationships?

Thesis Statement: By juxtaposing the endless expanse of time with the fleeting nature of human existence, “To His Coy Mistress” underscores the importance of seizing the present moment to fully experience love and pleasure before the passage of time ultimately erodes all things.

Short Questions-Answers about “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell

1. What is the speaker’s argument in “To His Coy Mistress”?

The speaker’s argument in “To His Coy Mistress” is that time is fleeting and they should seize the day and enjoy their love while they still can. He argues that if they had all the time in the world, they could take things slowly, but because time is limited, they should make the most of their time together. The evidence for this is in lines 1-2, where the speaker says, “Had we but world enough and time, / This coyness, lady, were no crime.”

• What is the tone of “To His Coy Mistress”?

The tone of “To His Coy Mistress” is urgent and persuasive. The speaker is trying to convince his lover to engage in a physical relationship with him, and he uses a variety of arguments to make his case. He is passionate and intense in his language, and he uses vivid images to describe their potential physical pleasure together. The evidence for this is in lines 33-36, where the speaker describes his lover’s youthful beauty and willingness to engage in physical pleasure.

• What is the significance of the line “Thus, though we cannot make our sun / Stand still, yet we will make him run” in “To His Coy Mistress”?

The line “Thus, though we cannot make our sun / Stand still, yet we will make him run” in “To His Coy Mistress” is significant because it represents the speaker’s desire to defy the limitations of time. The speaker is acknowledging that time is finite, but he is also arguing that they can make the most of their time together by living in the moment and embracing their physical passion. The evidence for this is in lines 45-46.

• What is the speaker’s attitude towards his lover in “To His Coy Mistress”?

The speaker’s attitude towards his lover in “To His Coy Mistress” is one of admiration and desire. He admires her beauty and intelligence, and he wants to engage in a physical relationship with her. He is persistent in his pursuit of her, and he uses a variety of arguments to try to convince her to be with him. The evidence for this is throughout the poem, but particularly in lines 25-28, where the speaker talks about his admiration for his lover’s beauty, and in lines 37-38, where he compares their passion to that of “amorous birds of prey.”

Literary Works Similar to “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell

1. “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” by Robert Herrick:This poem shares the central concept with Marvell’s, urging young women to embrace love and experience while they are young and beautiful.
2. “The Sun Rising” by John Donne: While a bit more playful, Donne’s poem expresses a defiance against the passage of time and focuses on the all-consuming nature of love.
3. “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” by Christopher Marlowe: This pastoral poem presents an idealized vision of a perfect life offered by the shepherd to his love. However, its themes of love and the enticing passage of time parallel Marvell’s work.
4. “Sonnet 130” by William Shakespeare: While less focused on direct persuasion, this sonnet subverts traditional love poetry tropes and offers a more realistic, yet still endearing, portrayal of love and acknowledging the inevitable effect of time on beauty.
5. Poems by the Cavalier Poets: Several poets within this 17th-century movement, like Thomas Carew or Sir John Suckling, produced poems in the carpe diem tradition, focusing on pleasure, seizing the moment, and the transience of life.

Suggested Readings: “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell

Books

• Leishman, J. B. The Art of Marvell’s Poetry. Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd, 1966.
• Legouis, Pierre. Andrew Marvell: Poet, Puritan, Patriot. Oxford University Press, 1968.
• Smith, Nigel. Andrew Marvell: The Chameleon. Yale University Press, 2010.

Articles

• Eliot, T.S. “Andrew Marvell.” Selected Essays. Faber and Faber, 1932, pp. 251-263.
• Empson, William. “Marvell’s Coy Mistress.” Some Versions of Pastoral. New Directions, 1974, pp.77-125.
• Wilcher, Robert. “Marvell’s ‘To His Coy Mistress’: The Poem as Debate.” * Modern Language Review*, vol. 75, no. 1, 1980, pp. 4-11. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/3726116.

Websites

• “To His Coy Mistress | 17th-century, metaphysical, seduction poem | Britannica”. Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/To-His-Coy-Mistress
• “To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell.” Poetry Foundation, [invalid URL removed]
• “The Luminarium: Andrew Marvell’s To His Coy Mistress.” Luminarium, [invalid URL removed]