"Corinna’s Going A-Maying" intricately weaves elements of pastoral and carpe diem poetry, immersing readers in a dramatic dialogue often spoken by a lover to his beloved. Pastoral poetry conjures an idyllic natural world, a setting far removed from the fleeting nature of human existence. It is a realm inhabited by youthful lovers, untouched by time's decay. This evergreen utopia stands in stark contrast to the inevitable march towards mortality, famously captured in the lines from William Shakespeare's Cymbeline, where "golden lads and girls" eventually "come to dust."

Christopher Marlowe's "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" epitomizes this idealized pastoral landscape, presenting a vision of happiness and eternal spring. His verses offer a glimpse into a world where love and nature exist in perfect harmony, a world untroubled by the harsh realities of life. However, this enchanting vision is not without its critics. Sir Walter Raleigh's "The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd" offers a more cynical perspective, challenging the idealism presented by Marlowe. Raleigh presents a more grounded reflection on the transient nature of beauty and love, underscoring the fleeting joys within the pastoral dream.

The "carpe diem" theme, first articulated by the Roman poet Horace, captures the ephemeral nature of life with its exhortation to "seize the day." This philosophy, encapsulated in the famous Latin phrase, gained substantial popularity in seventeenth-century England—a period marked by political and social tumult. At its core, carpe diem poetry champions the notion of indulging in earthly pleasures, as life is fleeting and the afterlife, a void. It reflects a hedonistic worldview, yet not all poets who explored this theme were its ardent followers.

Robert Herrick, an Anglican priest, is a notable figure in this poetic tradition. His works, like "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" and "Corinna’s Going A-Maying," are often interpreted as more than mere literary exercises. Some critics regard them as subtle critiques of the rigid restraints imposed by Puritanism of the time. "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" stands out as one of the most celebrated carpe diem poems in English literature, marked by its succinctness and straightforward language.

Conversely, "Corinna’s Going A-Maying" is noted for its elaborate structure and dramatic flair, drawing parallels with Andrew Marvell’s "To His Coy Mistress." Both poems employ rhetorical strategies that navigate from flattery to instilling a sense of urgency and fear of missed opportunities. Herrick's work, with its vivid imagery and dynamic shifts in tone, invites readers to revel in the present moment, echoing the enduring call to embrace life's fleeting beauty.

In the realm of literature, pastoral and carpe diem poems often converge under the umbrella of “the poetry of seduction.” These works, epitomized by compositions such as Marlowe’s “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love,” feature a male lover ardently attempting to woo his beloved with eloquent persuasion. The intrigue of these poems lies not only in the elaborate arguments crafted by the speaker but also in the vivid portrayal of his character. While the lady's reply remains curiously absent, it is tantalizingly imagined in the reader's mind, with Raleigh’s “Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd” standing as a rare exception that voices her perspective.

Among the most celebrated examples of this genre are "Corinna’s Going A-Maying" and Andrew Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress.” These poems capture the urgency and fervor of the lover's plea, employing rich imagery and a sense of immediacy to highlight the fleeting nature of time and love. While the poems themselves often conclude without revealing whether the speaker's entreaties succeed, they nevertheless remain powerful explorations of desire and the art of persuasion.