Major Ideas of "To His Coy Mistress"
Major Ideas of "To His Coy Mistress"
Idea, by definition, is an opinion or belief. In literature it is primarily the authors opinion or belief. In Andrew Marvel’s “To His Coy Mistress”, Marvels main idea is to live for today because tomorrow is promised to no one. The idea is broken down into three categories. The piece contains Marvels three ideas of, thesis (idealism), antithesis (realism), and synthesis (therefore), which become apparent as the piece continues. Each category represents something new in the poem. He takes different turns and looks at the same situation differently each time.
In the thesis statement “had we but world enough and time” it becomes evident that Marvel is referring to a “what if”. As he begins to tell his mistress, that if they had enough time then he would spend each precious moment with her, but because time is limited they must act on their lust for each other while they are still young and fruitful. Ideally it would be the authors dream to be with his mistress for centuries or even eternities on end. The idea is to show how everything is based on time and without time we would have no boundaries. “Had we but World enough, and Time…. We would sit down, and think which way to walk, and pass our long loves day… An hundred years should grow to praise.” (Lines 1-12, Marvel)
The second idea is that of realism in which the reality of his situation kicks in. He realizes and brings to her attention that they don’t have unlimited time and they are not getting any younger. So the virginity that she so willingly holds on to, she might end up taking it with her to her grave. “But at my back I hear times winged chariot hurrying near…then worms shall try that long preserv’d virginity…. The grave's a fine and private place but none I think do there embrace”(lines 13-20, Marvel) The idea remains the same but takes a different turn as it was when referring to idealism. He knows that time is winding down, but instead of living in the “land of make believe” he wants to live for now. He doesn’t want to have any regrets, and not acting oh his instincts would mostly defiantly be a regret.
The last idea demonstrated in Marvels work is synthesis, meaning therefore. After the author tells his young mistress of all...