To His Coy Mistress - Andrew Marvell Flashcards
Uses fresh and natural imagery to describe how slowly he would be willing to let his love grow should he have the time. Phallic and sexual imagery?
“My vegetable love should grow / Vaster than empires, and more slow”
The speaker argues that he would love the subject from the start of time to the end of it. Uses religious references to elevate the love.
“Love you ten years before the Flood… Till the conversion of the Jews.”
If he had time, the speaker would spend years adoring each part of the woman’s body.
“Two hundred to adore each breast”
However, despite stating in the beginning of the poem that he would spend years loving the woman, he cannot as he has not got enough time.
“Time’s winged chariot hurrying near”
He goes on to threaten that she will die a virgin if they do not get on with having sex.
“then worms shall try / That long preserved virginity”
The speaker describes a physical coming together - sexual?
“Let us roll all our strength and all / Our sweetness up into one ball”
