To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time Group

Question:

agm
agm
Student
High School - 11th Grade

Do you feel that the writer tries to impose his view on women about marriage?

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Posted by agm on Friday March 6, 2009 at 10:21 AM and tagged with marriage, to the virgins, to make much of time, women.

Answers:


  1. ms-mcgregor Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Herrick, who was a priest, was simply expressing a philosophy which was popular during his day. The philosophy reflects an ancient theme the Romans called "Carpe Diem" or "Seize the Day". This idea encourages all people to live life to the fullest each day. The Roman poet Horace put it, "Let us eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die." Herrick expresses the same thought in the first line of the poem when he writes, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may." Since marriage was expected of all women, I don't think Herrick was forcing his ideas on women, simple expressing the common values of his day. In a time when life expectancy was short, his admonition that "the age is best which is the first" was probably fairly good advice.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/virgins-make

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    Posted by ms-mcgregor on Friday March 6, 2009 at 11:15 AM

  2. leagye
    leagye Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Think of the poem as more advisorial than judgemental toward a particular group - in this case, virgins/women. The poet is encouraging people to "seize the day" and not fritter one's time or life away being idle. The poet uses the analogy of the virgin's pursuit of marriage as a sort of call to action - to enjoy life, experience the religious and societal joys of marriage and most of all, not waste their time on earth.

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    Posted by leagye on Friday March 6, 2009 at 11:15 AM