Poetry - To His Coy Mistress Flashcards
1
Q
Context
A
Written following Civil War, time of freedom and liberty
2
Q
Key points
A
- Carpe diem, finite nature of time
- Importance of physical intimacy
- Sexual desire
3
Q
Structure
A
Regular rhyme scheme established through repeated rhyming couplets
4
Q
Key quotations
A
“Had we but world enough and time… pass our long love’s day”
- Provides excuses as to why they can’t be together, establishes promise of connection and love in the hopes of sexual intimacy
“Time’s winged chariot hurrying near” / “Thy beauty shall no more be found” / “worms shall try that long-preserved virginity”
- Personification of time, placing pressure on the woman to sacrice her honour to fulfil male desire
- Grotesque image
“While the youthful hue sits on thy skin like morning dew” / “Now let us sport while we may”
- Imperative, gives subject little choice, sense of entitlement in his requests
