Comparison of the Presentation of Seduction in the Poems To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell and The Willing Mistress by Aphra Behn

Comparison of the Presentation of Seduction in the Poems To His Coy

Mistress by Andrew Marvell and The Willing Mistress by Aphra Behn

Both Marvell and Behn wrote during the Renaissance period and had

different styles. However, they explored similar themes. In 'To His

Coy Mistress', Marvell uses a cleverly structured argument called

'syllogism' to persuade his lover to 'seize the day' and make love

before their passion fades. In the first section, Marvell speculates

how he would adore his mistress. He compliments his mistress saying

she deserves such praise. He uses hyperbole to illustrate the extent

of his love. He uses many vast geographical and biblical allusions to

tell the vastness of his love. The tone in the second section is

desolate and threatening. Time is personified to show it's inevitable

conclusion - death confronts us all. He uses a blunt reminder that

'times winged chariot' is 'hurrying near'. Threatening images of

graves and decay emphasise his point. The imagery becomes morbid and

disturbing as he reminds his lover, manipulatively, that death will

inevitably destroy her virginity. In the third section of the poem,

Marvell draws his triumphant conclusion. His lover is young and

beautiful and they desire one another. He focuses on the urgency of

seduction. In contrast, Aphra Behn is revolutionary and our

expectations are challenged as she writes her willingness to

receivevher lover's attention in a female persona. She presents

seduction from a woman's point of view. She was one of the first women

to write about a woman's sexual feelings in pre-1900 poems.

Aphra Behn's humorous poem follows a narrative structure in which ...

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... them to consummate their love and savour her 'fleeting youth'. The

metaphorical description 'iron gates of life' tells us that life is

hard and full of though restrictions that ought to be and can be

broken by them. 'Iron gates of life' describes boundaries as barbaric.

The way in which he wishes to break such a strong boundary with just

their love for each other represents his confidence at the success of

his words.

I preferred 'To His Coy Mistress' to 'The Willing Mistress' because it

had hidden depths and meanings. I liked the way in which the poetic

techniques were used to produce such a powerful effect. I also like

the way in which the tone changes so often to portray his point. I did

like 'The Willing Mistress' because it is playful and humorous but it

is only a simple story and not a cryptic piece of poetry.