Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Carpe Diem?

One of your peer groups presented "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell.  Answer the following question in one-to-two paragraphs by Tuesday, March 8, 2011 (before 11:59 p.m.):




How does the Latin phrase, "carpe diem," apply to Marvell's poem?


When you post response, please remember to use your first name and last name's initial (i.e. Billy J.).

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

How does the Latin phrase, "carpe diem," apply to Marvell's poem?

"Carpe Diem" (To seize the day) refers to the author wanting the "woman" to hurry and make up her mind. Since she can't give him an answer as quick as he wants it, time is wasting away as they grow older.
Since it sounds like the lady is a virgin, she will die a virgin. He wants her to take the present by the horns, and take it for a ride.
The decision is taking to long,andthe days keep passing by, he now is urging her to make up her mind. He wants something really bad, and cant seem to get it. But the worms seem to have a likely chance.

Naiviv H. said...

"Carpe diem" is popularly translated as "seize the day."Carpe literally means "to pick, pluck, pluck off, cull, crop, gather," but this Latin phrase is regularly used in the sense of "To enjoy, seize, use, and make use of." Particularly, in the poem “To his Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell, we can see how this phrase can be used.
In the first twenty lines of the poem the writer talks about how much a woman means to him, and also how he is willing to wait forever to be with her. However, as we continue reading the poem, we begin to notice a difference in his attitude. The author starts to question that maybe they do not have that much time to wait. He tries to persuade her to get into bed with him by telling her that maybe if they waited too long, they could die without having lived that experience. In other words, he is telling her that they should hurry it up, and also he intends to explain to her why it is not the best idea to die as a virgin. In my opinion the ultimate message of this particular poem is “We should not leave for tomorrow what we can do today.” The future is unknown, and uncertain; so, it is always advisable to enjoy the present without worrying too much for what the future can bring.

Carlos A said...

Knowing that “to seize the day” is the meaning of “carpe diem,” we can understand the poem’s main idea. The author uses “carpe diem” to persuade, and to convince his lover of having sex with him. Marvell uses a very gentle way to seduce the mistress, who has matched his complements, but who has not yet taken a decision of having an affair with him. The author emphasizes in the sexual intentions he has, and also, points to the time factor when he uses persuasive ideas like that she could continue to decline his propositions for ages and ages, for example, “Till the conversion of the Jews.” His love could continue to grow “Vaster than empires, and more slow.” He could wait a “hundred years”; even “two hundred years” he could pass admiring each breast. He could devote even “thirty thousand” years to the rest of her person, if they had time, and he admits that she would be worth every minute of it, but then he turns everything and tells her that unfortunately, they do not have thirty thousand years, not even a hundred years for him to admire and drool over her various body parts. They face only death and “deserts of vast eternity” when there will no longer be such beauty for him to ogle. He then tries to appeal to her sense of logic by saying that if he cannot have the honor taking her virginity, then “worms” will do so. The obvious conclusion for this speaker is that because they have so little time, and nothing lies before them but the fading of beauty, then they should begin their sexual experiences now, and use the precious little time that remains of life for them satisfying their sexual needs.

Juan F. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
bclaws04 said...

Benedict L.
"Carpe Diem" is translated to "Seize the day". Marvell uses the phrase towards a woman to confess his desire and want to her. It is relevant that she is a virgin and a very special person to him that she attracts emotions and want. Marvell changes his attitude through the poem showing he wants to make use of his commitments revealed to the woman. To make use of also refers to the term "Carpe Diem."
Marvell's want for the woman makes her sound innocent and a virgin. His emotions and want for her lead him to be desperate with little hope. It will arise a continues want for the woman, where she will continue a virgin and Marvell will continue to "Carpe Diem".

Gregory Hines said...

The Latin phrase “carpe diem” which means to seize the day applies to the poem of Marvell’s in many aspects. To begin the phrase has it meaning to the charters in the poem being that the male character in the story is trying to win over the female character and convince her to have sex with him. He tells her that times is slowly passing them by and before long if she does not seize the day and opportunity to sleep with him; then time will quickly pass her by and she may die a virgin. Moreover the poem also applies the phrase when he tells her they should not think about tomorrow and just go with the moment. Further he also tell her that if she decides to sleep with him it will go by fast he does not want to waste anytime with small talk. Concluding, he tells her if she does not make her decision soon and seize the day the worms will have her instead and take her virginity.

Maria G. said...

"Carpe Diem" is to "Seize the day". this latin phrase is apply to Marvells poem because the author is explaining how he feels towards a woman but throughout the poem he begins to be more persuasive towards her and begins to tell her that the day is fleeing, meaning time is going by fast and there is not enough time. He describes her as a virgin and he wants her to go to bed with him but she is holding back and that is when he says if he cannot take her virginity then the worms will when she dies. he wants her to take this opportunity now since they have the chance before they grow old and who knows what will happen in the future.

Gabriel M. said...

Throughout Marvell's poem he emphasizes the fact that he wants to be with this woman who is just so beautiful in every aspect yet she does not let herself go in a sexual way to him. How the term "carpe diem" relates to the poem is simple because he clearly knows she wants him because of all the flirting and signs and vice versa with his feelings, but she does not seem to do anything in the moment, which aggravates Marvell. What I think he means by carpe diem is basically stop wasting time playing these little games because you never know when the opportunity may fade or never be there again so while they're in the moment seize the day and enjoy themselves sexually and possibly an amazing relationship before it's too late.

cinthiaE said...

The Latin phrase "carpe diem" means to seize the day.In this poem "to his coy mistress" by Andrew Marvell, he uses this phrase as to show the woman his desires. The author well describes how bad he wants her , as well as how he treasures her and how much she means to him, but finds her hold of time to be unnecessary and useless. The author believes there are only as many days in the year as you make use of. Her virginity is glorious to him , as well as time , but he feels like they should take advantage of the present , otherwise , the worms will take her virginity. The love he has for her is so strong he feels like sex will express it more, but her decision is taking too long. Unfortunately , we only get older and our lives come to an end; while the author recognizes this he urges her to make up her mind before is too late .

Alfonso Trujillo said...

The latin phrase '' Carpe diem'' to seize the day. To seize the day practically means to take advantage of that day because what can happen that day maybe does not happen another day. This poem is very interesting because it totally relates to the latin phrase'' Carpe Diem'' because the author in this poem is expressing truly love to the woman the he wants to have sex with. All the words that he is expressing show that he just wants to go right into the point now, and not leave it to the other day. The author does not care about anything that can happen later, he just wants to enjoy that special moment that he desires so much with the woman that he loves.

s. mcghee said...

"Capre Diem" means "To seize the day"
the author uses this phrase to persuade and convince the young lady to be intimate with him.Andrew Marvell feels that the young lady was toying with him and playing coy. in which he believed she wanted him as well. he urged the young lady to to take advantage of her time on earth ,because time waits for no one and eventually everything that lives will die. Marvell fells that time is running out. he became very impatient and desperate that his words were so conniving. he implied that if she die as a virgin that the worms would have her and not him.in short enjoy life,do not hesitate and live life with no regrets.

Unknown said...

Christian D.

The term "Carpe Diem" is a phrase that means "seize the day". "to his coy mistress" by Andrew Marvell is a poem written to another women expressing to her about his feelings emotionally and also sexually. Marvell, tries to " " seize the day by basically tellling her that they are young and in love, so why wait and be together. He also tries to get what he wants by seducing and telling her if she's ok with dying as a virgin.

Juan P said...

the concept of Carpe Diem is deeply imbedded in Marvell's poem. In "To His Coy Mistress" Marvell is speaking to a young woman that does not want to give into sexual desires. He tells her that time's winged chariot is closing in and that they need to get it over with before death comes and takes it away. Marvell also tells his mistress that not to hold on to her virginity because of pride because in the end the only ones that will enjoy it are the worms that will be eating her decomposing body.

Angelica J. said...

Throughout the entire poem "To His Coy Mistress", Marvell is attempting to convey his desire to be with this woman sexually, yet expressing as well his respect for her body and virginity. Due to his growing impatience, the theme of "Carpe Diem" comes into play; he wants to enjoy life and live it fully, to "Seize the day" and just enjoy each other thoroughly; live like there's no day but today, because death might come at any moment even in youth. Lines 21-22 in the second stanza say "But at my back I always hear time's winged chariot hurrying near" which I believe makes Marvell feel a sense of urgency to live freely, because time is chasing him. She is being pressured and wooed, almost being seduced by his beckoning words, enticing her to lay with him finally. Ultimately, the message of the this poem is to indulge in life's guilty pleasures, accept love in all aspects and just enjoy things as they come.

Jonathan S said...

The Latin phrase, “carpe diem,” applies to Andrew Marvell’s poem “To His Coy Mistress”, in many ways. Throughout the poem it is clear what Marvell’s intentions are, to conquer this woman in a sexual manner. Carpe diem translates to seize the day, or, take advantage of the present moment. In the poem the author, is trying to seize the moment by convincing this woman that they are running out of time and her virginity is too precious to leave it to the worms as the author writes, “then worms shall try”,(lines 27-28). What I take from this poem is basically, to stop wasting time by procrastinating and take advantage of, or seize the day. Ultimately, one day we will be gone, but we have to stay present in the here, and now.

Christopher A. said...

Christopher A.
The phrase "Carpe Diem" as it relates to Marvell's work, is indicative of how men and woman view the sexual act. The poem leads us to beleive the woman is a virgin, and how the man tries to persuade her to "Carpe Diem" (seize the moment). The diffrences between the man and the woman in this particualar case is for the man it is all about physical interaction and instant gratification. Whereas for the woman it is emotional and long lasting. This is why throughout the story he is using words to reach her emotions. An example would be "That long preserved virginity, and your...lust(lines 28-30). As he attemp's to convince her to have sex with him, the man makes her feel as if the opportunity may not come again and that time is of essence. The author leads us to believe that since the characters have opposing beliefs they part ways. In Conclusion, for a woman sex has a deeper emotional need whereas for the man it is all about a physical need.

Unknown said...

From beginning to end, Marvell is telling this woman to seize the day (darpe diem). He describes his love and all that he wants and could do to her. He asks her how death could enjoy her before he does. Seize the day, let me make you mine is basically all he is saying. Carpe diem applys to this poem because the whole point of the poem is for this woman to seize the day. Take the chance you have of sleeping with me now because later you might not.

Ivette M.

Unknown said...

Carpe Diem, from the Latin, is translated as “to seize de day”. In the poem, “To His Coy Mistress”, Andrew Marvell focuses his attention on how he wants something so badly and he is trying to persuade the other person to get it. He claims that since he is in love of this coy mistress, he could wait an eternity courting his mistress and admiring her beauty. However, in the second stanza, he states very clearly that they do not have all the time of the world, and she decides to die virgin, death is the only one who will enjoy. Therefore, they shall perform (to have sex) while they are young. The best explanation for me should be this : don’t live for tomorrow, what you can do today(seize the day)euthr

Jessica H said...

"Carpe Diem" means to seize the day and in Marvells poem it refers to the fact that the speaker will do or say anything to have her entire body and soul. He raves about how much little time he has on this earth and that while he and his mistress are still young, they should make the most of it by taking advantage of the day. He speaks with his eyes and not his heart. Carpe Diem is obviously used as a leverage to get her into bed. He is very slick in the way that he expresses his thoughts about "Carpe Diem," he makes shure that he does not come off as too strong but that he gets his point across.

MatthewJ said...

The way the Latin phrase “Carpe Diem” applies to Marvell’s poem is the poem talks about a man who is in love with a girl and would like to express his love for her intimately. Marvell consistently tells his Coy Mistress they must seize the day and just have sex with him because if she doesn’t she will die a virgin and no one will have her. Coy meaning a shy and flirtatious person and mistress meaning a his girl on the side who is hidden. Marvell consistently tells this person all types of loving and nasty comments in order to show her forcefully that he wants her. I find this poem a bit as a love story and a bit as something naughty, a lot of the words almost have a double meaning. An example would be “my vegetable” also known as the male phallic symbol, Began to grow because of the girl. Basically Marvell was telling the girl, he was aroused by her, and they needed to seize the day and do it, Carpe Diem.

Unknown said...

Andrew Marvell's poem, "To His Coy Mistress," differs from the standard "carpe diem" poem by beginning with a more romantic approach in much of the first stanza. Other "carpe diem" poems from this time period seem to get right to the point without offering an alternate position as Marvell has with this poem. He begins by describing a scenario where if they had all the time in the world, he would take his time and essentially be more romantic. Only in the final two stanzas does Marvell continue with the typical style of a "carpe diem" poem.

For Marvell, "carpe diem," which means "seize the day" in Latin, is his way of reeling in his "coy mistress" and ultimately getting her in bed as quickly as possible by suggesting she could die before enjoying the experience he describes.