To His Coy Mistress Group

Question:

neetajindal
neetajindal
Student
Graduate School

Discuss Andrew Marvell's 'To His Coy Mistress' as an example of metaphysical poetry.

This question is related to British poetry(MA English) From IGNOU.

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Posted by neetajindal on Wednesday July 22, 2009 at 9:48 PM and tagged with genre, metaphysical poetry, style.

Answers:

  1. appletrees
    appletrees Teacher
    College - Junior

    eNotes Editor

    I think the poem you're asking about is probably 'To His Coy Mistress.' It may be discussed as a metaphysical poem because it employs a great deal of spiritual imagery. The first few stanzas read:

    Had we but world enough, and time,
    This coyness, lady, were no crime.
    We would sit down and think which way
    To walk, and pass our long love's day;
    Thou by the Indian Ganges' side
    Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide
    Of Humber would complain. I would
    Love you ten years before the Flood;
    And you should, if you please, refuse
    Till the conversion of the Jews.

    The narrator of the poem is trying to tell his lady friend that by waiting to consummate their love, they may miss out on the best moments of their youth. By referring to biblical events and ancient history, he invokes spiritual and metaphysical concepts to prove his point.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/his-coy-mistress

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    Posted by appletrees on Wednesday August 19, 2009 at 9:23 PM