I have always been fascinated by poetry. Even trying my own hand at it time and again. Though I can't say that I have written many that have a rhyme scheme like "To his Coy Mistress." In school I was taught how to break down poetry, but unfortunately some of those skills elude me now. I can still pull out a general idea from a poem and see the imagery that is used. I believe that Marvell is the speaker of this poem. In my mind I'm thinking that this was his way of telling how he felt to his "mistress," if there was one I have no idea.
Somehow as I was reading "To his Coy Mistress" I found that there were parts that confused me. Especially the part about "vegetable love." I have no idea what to say about this. Even more so to the explanation in the notes, "11] vegetable love: that of his "vegetable" soul. Um... that is all I can really say to this. I mean the only thing that is popping into my head after reading this so line so many times is a rabbit eating a carrot. I'm pretty sure that has nothing to do with the poem. Unless of course this guy loved rabbits, but enough non-sense.
What I can see from this poem is that these two are in love. Like all love there is never enough time, but this love reaches into a heaven like state of "eternity" full with "winged chariots." Of course time is there to ruin everything again. (CURSE YOU FATHER TIME or whomever)
In the end it seems to me that the two lovers know their fate against time. Giving their love away and putting everything they have for each other together and throwing it out of "the iron gates of life." Both knowing that they cannot stop time. The sun will still pass over again and again and the two lovers keep living their lives.
Maybe I'm completely wrong. I'm pretty sure that I am actually, but I'm a little rusty against poetry. Then I think a poem can be read many different ways. Each reading can uncover something different, while covering up what was read the time before.
I really enjoyed your post. It's nice to have a fresh set of blogs to read. :)
ReplyDeleteI can totally empathize with you and the poetry thing. It has been a while since high school English class taught me how to discover the hidden meaning behind every word of a poem.
However, I feel as though a main theme of Marvell's poem is life and time. So to agree with one of your points, you can't stop time. Therefore, you must live your life to the fullest each day you have. (Which is a point I believe Marvell is trying to make.) I felt as though I really tried to find a deeper meaning behind the man/mistress relationship. I even went as far as to believe that Marvell was talking about man and his mistress-like relationship he leads with life.
But hey, like you said. A poem can be read many different ways, depending on the reader.
And I too am also confused by the vegetable reference.
ReplyDeleteI quite enjoyed your interpretation of this poem. I feel as though there are always parts of poems that confuse me. Sometimes the diction, structure, or main idea of poems are so elusive that I sometimes have to constantly question what I have just read. Why does he think he can say something as ridiculous as "vegetable love" and can get away with it? That's the wonder of poetry I suppose...
ReplyDeleteHowever, when I read "To His Coy Mistress," I read it as something else. I thought that the speaker's mistress had rejected him and his love, so he is trying to convince her that time is fleeting. He is saying they have to live out their lives with the little time they have. But, like you said, everyone interprets poems differently. Another wonder of poetry!
I completely agree with your reading Savannah. This could be the mans plea for her love as time is flying by them. Living their lives to the fullest instead of just sitting around would be a better option.
ReplyDeleteTo the vegetables, I still have no clue... I mean is his love growing roots? Is his love growing like a vegetable? I'm pretty sure vegetables grow slowly just like any other plant. So here I am still lost. That and the fact that the explanation used the same idea... "vegetable soul." I mean really? That does not help one bit.