To His Coy Mistress Group

Question:

patpat45
patpat45
Student
High School - 11th Grade

I need help outlining the sections of the poem, "To His Coy Mistress."

Outline the sections of this poem. If you were to paraphrase its argument, how many parts would the argument have?

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Posted by patpat45 on Saturday March 22, 2008 at 10:25 AM and tagged with argument, outlining, paraphrase, to his coy mistress.

Answers:


  1. azphstchr Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    This poem can be outlined in three major sections. 

    The first section of the poem begins with the first line and ends with "For, lady, you deserve this state, nor would I love at lower rate."  This first section of the poem presents the problem that the young man is having, in that he is interested in a young lady who is "coy" with him (in other words, she is not willing to give him that which he wants).  The first section of this poem uses satire to exaggerate the fact that if the man had all the time in the world, he would spend thousands of years trying to win her heart. 

    The second section of the poem begins with "But at my back I always hear, time's winged chariot hurrying near" and ends with "The grave's a fine and private place, but none I think do there embrace."  This second section to the narrator's argument emphasizes the reality of the fact that they do have to live under the pressure or burden of time, and that the clock is ticking.  If they wait too long, they shall go their graves having not enjoyed the intimacy that can be found with each other. 

    The third section is the rest of the poem.  Here the author makes one final argument that, now while they are still young, let them stop wasting time and live the rest of their days passionately.  He concludes by stating that although he cannot stop the hands of time, the sun should have to chase them in their passionate pursuit of each other. 

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

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    Posted by azphstchr on Saturday March 22, 2008 at 11:11 PM

  2. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The poem has three sections, the first section contains the biblical references where the older man states how much and for how long he will love the coy lady.  He reinforces his pledge of love with reverence for a shared Christian faith with the lady.  The second section of the poem deals with the older man's plea for the coy lady to sieze the day and embrace his passion for her, for he warns, soon they will both be dead. Cold in the grave where there is no love.  And lastly, he suggests to the lady that if they engage in their passion, they will give time a run for its money.  They will keep the sun at their backs as they enjoy every minute, pratically making eternity jealous with their passionate love for each other. 

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    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Sunday March 23, 2008 at 4:27 PM