A Comparison between To His Coy Mistress and Sonnet 116

A Comparison between To His Coy Mistress and Sonnet 116

The poem "To His Coy Mistress" was written in the mid 17th century by

Andrew Marvell, being written in this time Marvell's poem was unable

to be published as its taboo content was unfavoured by the puritans in

power at the time. Whereas "Sonnet 116" by William Shakespeare was

written in the late 16th century, a time of liberation and freedom for

the stage and literature.

Both poems are similar in theme and yet different in approach, they

both pursue the theme of love although Marvell in a satirical Carpe

Diem love style whereas Shakespeare in a traditional sonnet style.

"To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell is about a young mans attempts

to lure a woman into bed the true theme of the poem being more lust

than love, the poem is in fact a parody of Carpe Diem love poetry and

critiques the approach of an over eager young lover. "Sonnet 116"

takes a more serious approach to the theme of love addressing the

concept of eternal love "love alters not with his brief hours and

weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom".

The voice of the two poems also changes dramatically with Marvell

there is an eager young lover willing to change tactics often in order

achieve his goal. The voice is fickle and immature it evokes little

sympathy from the reader and has rather a comic tone to it, this comic

tone is highlighted by the fact that the poem is written in an iambic

rhythm with four heavy stresses generally a rhythm used for comic

value as it short and snappy allowing just the right amount of time

for punnery and wit this effect is backed up by the poems rhyming

couplets generally a rhythm used for comic value as it has a light

tone to it.

Shakes...

... middle of paper ...

...imself

merely a victim in a constant struggle to keep righteousness alive and

if winning is impossible then better to lose a lot than a little

"Thus, though we cannot make our Sun Stand still, yet we will make him

run.".

Shakespeare also ends on a rhyming couplet though this modest couplet

is to lighten the serious tone "If this be error and upon me proved, I

never writ, nor no man ever loved." though Shakespeare stresses that

unless love is timeless and priceless and infallible it is nonexistent

for Shakespeare believes there are no half measures in love.

I personally enjoyed both poems though I preferred William

Shakespeare's "Sonnet 116" as I feel the more serious classic approach

to love makes more enjoyable reading, although the comic approach of

Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress" was entertaining it did become

quite tedious after a while.