'To The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time' by Robert Herrick

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Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,
Old Time is still a flying:
And this same flower that smiles today,
Tomorrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he's a getting;
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.

That age is best, which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times, still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time;
And while ye may, go marry:
For having lost but once your prime,
You may forever tarry.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Are you looking for a poem that captures the essence of carpe diem, the Latin phrase that means "seize the day"? Then look no further than Robert Herrick's "To The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time."

Background

Robert Herrick was a 17th-century English poet and clergyman, known for his lyric poetry that celebrated love, nature, and sensuality. "To The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time" was first published in 1648 in a collection called Hesperides.

The poem is addressed to a group of young women, urging them to make the most of their youth and beauty before they fade away. The speaker's main argument is that time is fleeting, and that the virgins should seize the day by getting married and having children while they still can.

Analysis

The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with four stressed syllables per line. This gives the poem a rhythmic, sing-song quality that makes it easy to remember and recite.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem by introducing the idea that time is fleeting and that youth and beauty are short-lived. The speaker uses the metaphor of a flower that wilts and dies to describe the virgins' beauty:

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.

The second stanza expands on this idea by contrasting youth and beauty with old age and decay. The speaker argues that the virgins should make the most of their youth while they still have it, because once they grow old, they will no longer be desirable.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.
That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.

The third stanza is the heart of the poem, and contains the speaker's main argument. He urges the virgins to get married and have children while they still can, because once their youth is gone, they will no longer be able to do so.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry;
For having lost but once your prime,
You may forever tarry.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle by returning to the image of the rose that wilts and dies. The speaker warns the virgins that if they do not seize the day, they will live to regret it when they are old and gray.

The same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.

Interpretation

At its core, "To The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time" is a poem about the fleeting nature of youth and the importance of seizing the day. The speaker argues that youth and beauty are short-lived, and that the virgins should make the most of their time while they still have it.

The poem is also a celebration of love and marriage. The speaker urges the virgins to get married and have children while they still can, arguing that this is the best way to make the most of their youth.

However, there is also an underlying sense of anxiety and fear in the poem. The speaker is afraid that the virgins will waste their youth and live to regret it when they are old and gray. This fear is reflected in the repeated image of the flower that wilts and dies, which serves as a symbol of the fleeting nature of youth and beauty.

Overall, "To The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of carpe diem. It urges us to make the most of our time and not to waste our youth and beauty on frivolous pursuits. Instead, we should seize the day and make the most of our lives while we still can.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Herrick's "To The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time" is a powerful poem that celebrates youth, love, and the fleeting nature of life. Through its use of metaphor and imagery, the poem urges us to seize the day and make the most of our lives while we still can. Whether we are young or old, the poem reminds us that time is precious and that we should make the most of it before it's too late.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time: An Analysis

Robert Herrick's "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Written in the 17th century, this poem is still relevant today and is often quoted in popular culture. In this article, we will analyze this poem in detail and explore its themes, literary devices, and historical context.

The poem begins with the famous line, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the central theme of carpe diem, or "seize the day." The speaker is addressing a group of young women, urging them to make the most of their youth and beauty while they still can. The rosebuds are a metaphor for youth and beauty, and the speaker is urging the virgins to enjoy these things while they last.

The second stanza continues the theme of carpe diem, with the speaker warning the virgins that time is fleeting and that they should not waste it. The line "That age is best which is the first" suggests that youth is the best time of life, and that the virgins should make the most of it. The speaker also warns that time is like a river that flows constantly, and that once it has passed, it cannot be regained.

The third stanza takes a more ominous tone, with the speaker warning that death is inevitable and that the virgins should not wait until it is too late to enjoy life. The line "And this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying" suggests that life is short and that the virgins should enjoy it while they can. The speaker also warns that the virgins will regret it if they do not make the most of their youth, and that they will look back on their lives with regret.

The fourth stanza takes a more philosophical turn, with the speaker suggesting that the virgins should not worry about the future or the past, but should live in the present. The line "Then be not coy, but use your time" suggests that the virgins should not be shy or hesitant, but should seize the day and make the most of their youth. The speaker also suggests that the virgins should not worry about what others think of them, but should live their lives on their own terms.

The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker urging the virgins to enjoy life while they can. The line "Thus, though we cannot make our sun stand still, yet we will make him run" suggests that while we cannot stop time, we can make the most of it and enjoy life to the fullest. The speaker also suggests that the virgins should not worry about the future, but should live in the present and enjoy the moment.

Overall, "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" is a powerful poem that urges its readers to seize the day and make the most of their youth and beauty. The poem is full of literary devices, including metaphors, personification, and alliteration. The use of the rosebud as a metaphor for youth and beauty is particularly effective, as it is an image that is easy to visualize and understand.

The historical context of the poem is also important to consider. The 17th century was a time of great change and upheaval, with the English Civil War and the Restoration of the monarchy. The poem was written during this time of uncertainty, and it reflects the anxieties and fears of the period. The theme of carpe diem was particularly popular during this time, as people were acutely aware of the fragility of life.

In conclusion, "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Its message of carpe diem is as relevant today as it was in the 17th century, and its use of literary devices and metaphors make it a powerful and memorable work of poetry. Whether you are a young person just starting out in life or an older person looking back on your youth, this poem is a reminder to make the most of every moment and to enjoy life to the fullest.

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