What is Metaphysical Poem? To His Coy Mistress as a Metaphysical Poem with Quotes

What is Metaphysical Poem? To His Coy Mistress as a Metaphysical Poem with Quotes

What is Metaphysical Poem?

A metaphysical poem is a type of poetry that uses elaborate and often unexpected comparisons and conceits and employs a more intellectual and philosophical approach to its subject matter. The term "metaphysical" comes from the 17th-century poets, known as the Metaphysical Poets, who used this style in their poetry. Some examples of metaphysical poets include John Donne, Andrew Marvell, and George Herbert.

To His Coy Mistress as a Metaphysical Poem 

"To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell is considered a metaphysical poem due to its use of complex intellectual and abstract ideas such as time, eternity, and the universality of desire. The poem is written in the form of a seduction, in which the speaker attempts to persuade his mistress to engage in physical intimacy by using elaborate metaphors, comparisons, and hyperbolic imagery.

The speaker begins by expressing his admiration for his mistress's beauty, saying that if they had "world enough, and time," he would take the time to praise her beauty and court her slowly. He imagines a scenario where they could "tear our pleasures with rough strife / Thorough the iron gates of life" (lines 5-6). This imagery highlights the idea of time being on their side, allowing them to enjoy their relationship without the constraints of societal expectations or the passage of time.

However, the speaker quickly shifts his tone, introducing the idea of the transience of life and the inevitability of death. He says that "at my back I always hear / Time's winged chariot hurrying near" (lines 9-10), emphasizing the fact that time is running out for them. He also uses the imagery of deserts of vast eternity to convey the idea that there is a limited amount of time for them to enjoy each other's company.

The speaker then uses the carpe diem motif, urging his mistress to make the most of the limited time they have. He says that they should "roll all our strength and all / Our sweetness up into one ball" (lines 17-18), emphasizing the idea that they should seize the moment and enjoy their physical relationship now before it's too late. He also employs the imagery of growing vegetable love, which would be vaster than empires and slower, to convey the depth of his passion.

The speaker also uses various comparisons and imagery to convey the timelessness of his love for his mistress. He says that he would spend "a hundred years" praising her eyes and "two hundred to adore each breast" (lines 19-20), emphasizing the idea that his love for her is eternal. He also compares his love for her to the timelessness of the stars, the rivers, and the sands, saying that "An age at least to every part, / And the last age should show your heart" (lines 27-28). This imagery highlights the idea that his love for her is as eternal and unchanging as the natural world.

The poem concludes with the speaker urging his mistress to act on their desire now before it is too late. He says that "the grave's a fine and private place, / But none, I think, do there embrace" (lines 35-36), emphasizing the fact that death is the ultimate barrier to physical intimacy.

In conclusion, "To His Coy Mistress" is a metaphysical poem that uses complex and abstract ideas to convey the speaker's urgency and desire to make the most of their time together. The speaker uses imagery and comparisons to convey the idea of the transience of life and the inevitability of death, which gives a sense of urgency to his desire. The poem also reflects the idea of carpe diem, urging the mistress to seize the moment and enjoy their physical relationship now before it's too late. The imagery and comparisons employed in the poem also convey the idea of timelessness and eternity, emphasizing the idea that the speaker's love for his mistress is eternal and unchanging.