The Attitudes Towards Love in To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell and Sonnet by Elizabeth Barrett-Browning

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The Attitudes Towards Love in To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell and Sonnet by Elizabeth Barrett-Browning

‘Sonnet’ by Elizabeth Barrett-Browning and ‘To His Coy Mistress’ by

Andrew Marvell are both poems which explore love. . . different loves.

Fun Andrew Marvell’s carpe diem displays an openly sexual lust when

compared to serious Elizabeth Barrett-Browning’s both serious and

intense lyric poem.

It seems as if the sonnet expresses a much more pure, and in areas,

religious and romantic view towards love than ‘To His Coy Mistress.’

This essay is going to discuss both poets’ attitudes towards love and

explore their different approaches.

In the first twenty lines of ‘To His Coy Mistress,’ Andrew Marvell

opens the poem in a manner of admiration and respect for the woman’s

body.

“Two hundred to adore each breast.” (Line 15.)

This quote illustrates Marvell’s respect for her body.

The poet also describes how he would like to love the woman by

cleverly using time to represent love:

“Love you ten years before the flood;” (Line 8.)

This powerful line shows us how Andrew Marvell would love the lady

before the beginning of recorded time, if he could.

Andrew Marvell would like to give the lady what she deserves and love

her properly.

“For, lady, you deserve this state,” (Line 19.)

However, the opening to ‘To His Coy Mistress’ displays an attitude

towards love that is not too serious; despite Marvell going into great

depth about how he would love the woman.

“Nor would I love at lower rate.” (Line 20.)

The poet uses a certain tonality and rhyming couplets which do not

help to create a tense and romantic ...

... middle of paper ...

...h has an attitude that is much more serious

than that explored in ‘To His Coy Mistress.’

In conclusion, ‘To His Coy Mistress’ by Andrew Marvell displays a view

towards love which is more of a sexual lust… a carpe diem that shows

his hunger and interest of sexual intercourse with the woman. It is

clear that Marvell does not have enough time to love the lady

properly, and the language and structure of the poem creates an

overall humorous and fun attitude towards love.

‘Sonnet,’ however, uses a structure and vocabulary that explores the

unconditional great depth of Elizabeth Barrett-Browning’s true love.

It is apparent in the sonnet that she has all the time in the world

for her husband.

As a result, ‘Sonnet’ has a more serious, religious and romantic

attitude towards love compared to fun ‘To His Coy Mistress.’

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