Class Notes

Andrew Marvell
-Scarce information on Andrew Marvell due to inconsistencies with his work
-Born in Yorkshire in 1621
-Attended Trinity College
-"Musa Cantabrigiensis" first two poems in Latin and Greek
-Spoke Dutch, Spanish, Italian, French, Latin, and Greek
-Royalist who was swayed to the Puritan side under Cromwell, then returned to the Royalist side following the fall of Cromwell and the puritan gov't
-Published "Upon Appleton House" and carpe diem poems "To his coy mistress" and "The Definition of Love"
-Appointed assistant to John Milton in 1657, and was recommended for job as latin secretary
-died in 1678, and Miscellaneous poems published posthumously in 1681

"To His Coy Mistress"
-Coy=shy (acting shy to attract attention)
-He and his lover could do anything if they had all the time in the world:
-Look for Indian rubies
-Discuss things
-enjoy each other
-He would love her forever if he had all the time in the world
-His love would progress slowly
-He would admire her for 30,500 years
-Unfortunately they don't have all the time in the world
-If you don't embrace me now, worms will embrace you when you are dead
-While we are young and beautiful, we should enjoy each other
-While we can't stop time, we can decide how we spend our time


-Chris Balch