.png "Summary of Andrew Marvell's To His Coy Mistress") |
| Summary of Andrew Marvell's To His Coy Mistress |
🖋️ About the Author: Andrew Marvell (1621–1678)
Andrew Marvell was an English metaphysical poet, satirist, and politician. Born in 1621 in Yorkshire, he studied at Trinity College, Cambridge. Marvell's poetry is known for blending intellectual depth with emotional intensity, often exploring themes like time, love, politics, and nature.
As a metaphysical poet, he employed wit, paradox, and elaborate metaphors (conceits). Although he wasn't widely recognized in his lifetime, his posthumously published works such as “To His Coy Mistress,” “The Garden,” and “An Horatian Ode upon Cromwell’s Return from Ireland” earned him a lasting place in English literature.
📜 Stanza-wise Summary of “To His Coy Mistress”
💠Stanza 1: (Lines 1–20)
“Had we but world enough, and time...”
The speaker imagines a world where he and his beloved have infinite time and space. He describes how he would spend centuries praising her beauty and expressing his love gradually. Her coyness would be no problem if eternity were on their side.
Key Idea: Idealistic love with no time constraints — romantic and hypothetical.
💠Stanza 2: (Lines 21–32)
“But at my back I always hear / Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near...”
The tone shifts. The speaker reminds her that time is limited and death is inevitable. He uses powerful imagery of decay and mortality, warning that her beauty and virginity will mean nothing in the grave.
Key Idea: Time is running out — death and decay make waiting dangerous.
💠Stanza 3: (Lines 33–46)
“Now let us sport us while we may...”
The speaker urges her to seize the day (carpe diem). He suggests they embrace love and passion while they are still young. Instead of letting time conquer them, they should consume time with their passionate union.
Key Idea: Embrace passion now — enjoy life before it fades.
🧠Major Themes in the Poem
- Time and mortality
- Carpe diem (Seize the day)
- Beauty and decay
- Love and desire
- Metaphysical wit and persuasion
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