NAVIGATION: Index of Introduction to Poetry Materials Index of Dr. Weller's Class Materials

On "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell

Study [Mostly Factual] Questions:
  1. What is the translation of the phrase Carpe Diem, and what is the typical subject matter of a Carpe Diem poem? (Hint: "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time," by Robert Herrick
    2. and "(ponder darling," by e. e. cummings are also Carpe Diem poems.
  2. In Marvell's time, what did "mistress" mean? How about "coy"?
  3. On a map, where is the Ganges, and where is the Humber?
  4. What would the speaker of the poem be complaining about? (See line 7.)
  5. When did "the Flood" happen? When will "the conversion of the Jews" happen?
  6. What other states of being are there besides "vegetable"?
  7. What does the word "try" (line 27) mean?
  8. In what "fine and private place" do people embrace?
  9. What does "transpires" mean?
  10. "Instant fires" appears to be a metaphor. For what is the phrase a metaphor?
  11. What image is summoned up by the phrase "slow-chapped"?
  12. For what is "sun" (line 46) a metonymy?
Discussion Questions [Concerning the Realm of Human Experience Being Discussed in the Poem]:
  1. Do you ever have the sensation that the older you get, the faster your life goes by?
  2. Have you every felt that there was a perfect moment for a kiss, without giving or getting that kiss?