“With injured bovine eyes.”
To His Coy Mistress shows us the positive aspects of being in a relationship. It explains to us the intense, pleasurable feelings of passion and love that are present when a relationship is going well. Silver Wedding, however, shows us the negative aspects of a relationship. It shows us that not all relationships run smoothly and that not every moment with your partner is enjoyable. These poems are quite different in the way that they both hold opposite views and arguments.
The endings to each poems are extremely different. Andrew Marvell finishes his poem with a statement of determination, he is optimistic that he will make the most of his time with his mistress, and that he will make love to her eventually. Vernon Scannell, however, ends his poem on a pessimistic note. He speaks of having a wreath of quarrels set on his tired and balding brow. He is telling us that he is getting older and more tedious, and also he feels that his future looks very bleak. In my opinion, I feel that To His Coy Mistress is a more pleasant poem to read as it is a more happier poem to Silver Wedding. I feel that Silver Wedding is a depressing poem to read. In contrary, To His Coy Mistress does have some depressing parts to it, but it far outdoes the unhappy, gloomy vibes which we get in Silver Wedding.
Throughout both of these poems, the use of metaphors, hyperbole’s and personifications are quite constant. Both poems also use imagery. In addition, both of these poems contain biblical references. In To His Coy Mistress, Andrew Marvell comments that he would love his mistress ten years before the flood. This refers back to the flood of Noah’s Ark, from the beginning of time. In Silver Wedding, Vernon Scanell refers back to when Jesus turned water into wine. He, however, turns this around and tells us that his children grant him one achievement only, and that is to turn their wine into water. This means that his children are accusing him of souring their lives. Both poems contain rhyme-patterns, this is another way in which they reflect each-other.
