Name: Abraham Yeh
Grade: 9B
Date: 9th February, 2005
Title of Presentation: How Marvell has used language to show his concerns in the poem, “To His Coy Mistress” and how it makes it a makes it a memorable one.
“To His Coy Mistress” is a love poem written by Andrew Marvell to his mistress to accept his love proposal. Throughout the poem, he shows his concern about how time is running out between the two of them by the use of convincing and persuasive words.
I the first two line of the poem, “Had we but world enough and time, This coyness, Lady were no crime” ,He says this to explain to the mistress that if they did have time, he wouldn’t care about her shyness and by the use of words like “had” and “enough” show clearly that they do not have time. In the next two lines, “We should sit down and think which way to walk, and pass our long love’s day” which is related to the first two sentences explains that they would sit down and think where to walk to and have a nice day if they had time. “Thou by the Indians Ganges’ side Shouldst rubies find: I by the tide of Humber would complain”. He tells her this to show his love to her to mean that if they were far apart, he would complain. “I would love you ten years before the flood: And you should, if you please, refuse till the conversion of the Jews” is said by the persona probably to show her how long he has loved her and that they will have a never ending love. Also in this statement, “till the conversion of the Jews” which might never happen, is said to show that he will love her forever. He goes on to exaggerate that the love he has for her will slowly but surely grow larger then an empire by saying, “My vegetable love should grow vaster than empires, and more slowly. By the tone of the persona in this statement, it shows a bit of confidence and boldness. In the next line, “An hundred years should go to praise thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze. Two hundred to adore each breast: But thirty thousand to the rest. An age at least to every part." Over here, he uses erotic and passionate words to show to the mistress how much he adores her body. There is a bit of lust and obsession. He also uses the word “gaze” to show her that he would never be tired of looking at her body and he also relates it to time. “And at the last stage, should show your heart” he say this that after he is done with adoring her body, he would go on to check her heart. “For lady, you deserve this state; nor would I love at lower rate”. He says this to show the respect he has for her and at the same time flattering her. He also means that she is entitled to such attention and he would not give her anything less.
