G.C.S.E English and English Literature Coursework Poetry Assignment
We have been set the task to compare the ways in which the poems I have studied deal with the passing of time. The three poems are “To his Coy Mistress”, “Ozymandias” and “To the Virgins to Make Much of Time”. All three of the poems clearly deal with the passing of time in different ways. “To his Coy Mistress” is about a man telling a woman that if he had all the time in the world, he would spend it with her. In the “To the Virgins to Make Much of Time” a man is trying to persuade a woman to make much of her youth with the time she is given. “Ozymandias” is about time in a different way by saying no tyranny can beat time like the statue in the poem. This poem is different to “To his Coy Mistress” and “To the Virgins to Make Much of Time”. It’s not about love or anything else to do with the other poems but the passing of time.
In the “To his Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell the poet wants to persuade his coy mistress to have a fiscal relationship with him. Marvell splits the poem into three different stanzas, each one with a different purpose. The first stanza is an introduction, Marvell speaks about what he wants to do with the Mistress, he speaks about time, and how it is not on their side. The second stanza introduces that time is their enemy; he uses fear in this section to try and persuade her. And in the final section he changes the person in which he writes in he now talks about 'we', he speaks about how when the couple are together they can tackle the problem of time. This is very well thought out because it is clear what he wants, he splits up the stanzas effectively and makes the whole picture clear in your head, and this is a very persuasive technique. The rhythm and rhyme of the poem of the poem help to reinforce the argument. The first two lines of the poem I consider to be the most important of all in this poem and they relate to the subject of time. In the third and fourth lines he is saying that he wants to be close to her and make every decision with her. This gives an immense effect because of the use of alliteration and assonance. He visualized being dead and lying in a grave with worms everywhere. Their bodies "turn to dust" and "into ashes all my lust". He is in a sense warning her too return his mortal love or face having never loved before she dies and turns to dust. The talk of deserts and turning to ashes and dust implies a total lack of water. This is opposite to the first part of the poem that is awash with images of flowing water. Perhaps it is symbolic of his ever flowing love and a never-ending life that he dreams of, where time goes on forever. The dry imagery here seems to be denoting a sort of end. The knowledge that he is not immortal and his life will not go on forever. It serves to enhance the urgency of his love being requited. The Grave's a fine and private place, But none I think do there embrace. In these last lines, Marvell seems to be once again asserting the importance of their love and feelings now that they are still living. Death is an end - not only of life but of their love as well. At another level, He seems to be celebrating the beauty of this lady, against the unavoidable background of death. Therefore, they should quickly "embrace" and accept each other as lovers. This romantic insinuation sets the mood for the last part of the poem.
