Question 1

Context

Accepted Answer

Andrew Marvell’s To His Coy Mistress is either a hyperbolical, coercive attempt to seduce his ‘mistress,’ using the timeless ‘carpe diem’ argument, or a satirical treatment of traditional love poetry. Through the poem, Marvell uses various ideas about life being short, time flying and the inexorable threat of death in order to persuade his ‘lady’ to embrace the moment and have sex.  It is entirely down to the reader to decide how successful the argument is!

Question 2

Structure

Accepted Answer

Marvell uses a syllogistic structure to present his argument. A syllogism is a form of logical argument wherein you reach a specific conclusion by looking at two other premises.

Question 3

Rhythm

Accepted Answer

To His Coy Mistress uses rhyming couplets in iambic tetrameter, this means that each line contains four sets of two beats.  The first is unstressed and the second is stressed. e.g. du-DUM, du-DUM, du-DUM, du-DUM. This creates a playful, light-hearted rhythm which is juxtaposed by the serious metaphysical themes and imagery.

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