Question

the poems \to his coy mistress\ and \twenty - one love poems (poem iii)\ express the ancient literary theme of carpe diem, latin for \seize the day.\ this was one of the most popular themes of cavalier poetry written in the 17th century by poets such as andrew marvell. carpe diem is often taken to mean that one should enjoy life as much as possible for the present moment. compare how the poems develop this theme. what reasons do they give for the necessity of enjoying the present moment?
reasons we must \seize the day\
\to his coy mistress\
a
\twenty - one love poems (poem iii)\
b

Explanation:

• "To His Coy Mistress":
• Time is limited. The poet emphasizes that without enough time (e.g., "had we but world enough, and time"), physical beauty (mistress's "long preserv'd virginity") will fade ("worms shall try / That long preserv'd virginity"). So, they should enjoy the present.
• "Twenty - One Love Poems (Poem III)":
• Love is intense and present - oriented. The poem describes a passionate love ("body swells with tender fright") that is happening now. Love in the present is vivid and real ("my kisses trace a map") while waiting or delaying would lose this immediacy of love's experience.

Answer:

• "To His Coy Mistress": Time is limited (world not enough), beauty fades (virginity to be tried by worms).
• "Twenty - One Love Poems (Poem III)": Love is intense and present - oriented (body's tender fright, kisses as a map).