To His Coy Mistress

Andrew Marvell (1681)

Tuesday 6th October 2020

Lesson objectives and success criteria

• To develop your understanding of Metaphysical poetry

• To continue to make effective annotations

• To improve your writing, focusing on effective topic sentences and exploring different interpretations of a text.

Recap of previous learning

➢What poets have we looked at so far and what are the key features of their poetry?

➢How do you construct an effective topic sentence?

Future Lessons

➢You will continue to develop important contextual knowledge.

➢You will continue to develop your analytical writing

Recap quiz

1) What is a metaphysical conceit?

2) What is an epic poem?

3) What are 3 key features of epic poetry?

4) What is the purpose of a soliloquy?

5) List three features of a good analytical paragraph.

6) What is personification?

7) What is hyperbole?

8) What form and meter was Paradise Lost written in?

Andrew Marvell (1621 – 1678)

• Marvell was a poet, satirist and politician. He was also very religious and a friend of John Milton.

• He was a metaphysical poet like John Donne.

• He was well educated and studied at Cambridge, before disappearing in 1641.

• Marvell served as an MP for Hull for 18 years, until his death in 1678.

• Many of his satirical works were seen as dangerous and controversial, and were not published under his name until after his death.

Key Terms – add to your glossaries

• Satire - the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices.

• Carpe Diem – a Latin term that translates to “seize the day”. Poetry that expresses this sentiment is referred to as ‘carpe diem poetry.

• Blazon – a poetic description of the subjects physical features.

• Coy – to act shy or modestly, especially in reference to women.

• Hyperbole – exaggerated statements to create strong impression and strong feelings.

• Personification – attributing human qualities to a non-human thing.

To His Coy Mistress

• A poem, in which the speaker addresses a potential lover who has been rejecting his romantic advances.

• As the poem develops, the speaker uses different approaches to try and seduce the potential lover.

• This poem is a dramatic monologue.

• The speaker of the poem is anonymous and no information is offered about him or the mistress he is addressing.

Structure

• The poem is written in iambic tetrameter (4 sets of unstressed followed by stressed syllables).

• The poem is comprised of 23 rhyming couplets.

• The poem can be split into three sections to present a developing argument.

1. IF – lines 1 to 20.

2. BUT – lines 21 to 32.

3. THEREFORE – lines 33 to lines 46.

‘Carpe Diem’

• If we had time, we could take things slowly. But time moves quickly and soon we will be dead. Therefore, we should make the most of the time we have and be together.

The speaker of the poem is trying to persuade his potential lover to ‘seize the day’.

The idea of this is that life is fleeting (does not last long) and one should embrace the pleasures of life while they have the chance.

Read lines 1 – 20: IF

• In this section, the speaker states that if they had time, then they could move slowly in their relationship.

1. Identify 3 examples of hyperbole in this section.

2. What example of personification can be found in this section?

3. Annotate this section of the poem carefully. Underline key words, phrases or structural features and write notes on their significance and effect.

4. Write an effective topic sentence for this section of the poem.

Read lines 21 – 32: BUT

• In this section, the speaker focuses on how time passes quickly and will not wait for the lovers.

1. The speaker tells his lover that they will soon be dead because time moves quickly. Identify as many words and phrases in this section that link to the idea of death.

2. Using one of the words or phrases you have just identified, analyse how it is persuasive.

3. Annotate this section of the poem carefully. Underline key words, phrases or structural features and write notes on their significance and effect.

4. Write an effective topic sentence for this section of the poem.

Read lines 33 – 46: THEREFORE

• In this section, the speaker has given his argument and is suggesting to the lady that they should take advantage of the time they have together, before it is too late.

1. The speaker’s language and imagery becomes much more intense in this section. Identify as many words and phrases that show passion.

2. The speaker repeats the word ‘now’ three times in this section. Why is this effective?

3. Annotate this section of the poem carefully. Underline key words, phrases or structural features and write notes on their significance and effect.

4. Write an effective topic sentence for this section of the poem.

Satire - the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices.

Marvell is renowned for his political satire. Whilst this poem doesn’t fit that category, critics have argued that it does still contain elements of satire.

Who is the object of Marvell’s satire in the poem? Is it the speaker? Is it the mistress?

Look back through the poem and find evidence to support each assertion. Who is Marvell criticising?

Writing Task: How does the speaker make an interesting and persuasive argument in the poem?

Think about:

• What the speaker focuses on to attempt to persuade his potential lover.

• The language choices

• The structure of the poem: if, but, therefore

Remember: Good writing should demonstrate knowledge of WHAT the writer is saying, HOW they are saying it and WHY they are saying it.

You will have 30 minutes to complete this writing task. You must write an introduction and 1 developed paragraphs.

Proofread ‘STAR’ your work

• Substitute words with more suitable replacements.

• Take things out and remove unnecessary details.

• Add things in or go into more detail.

• Rearrange the order of ideas and structure of the writing.

Always check your spelling and punctuation CAREFULLY and make at least 3 visible changes.

Spend 5 minutes going through your work. Use a different coloured pen to show your changes.