Time and Place

Time and place are two themes which have been widely explored through poetry over centuries. The theme is used predominately as means of persuasion, most commonly found amongst male poets depicting time as an evil force, informing women of the phrase 'carpe diem', in order to court them. Andrew Marvell's, 'To His Coy Mistress' allows the reader to explore the mystery of time, and ways in which one can battle against it in an attempt to control it. Yet, Robert Herrick's, 'Counsel To Girls' informs young women of how time will not work in their favour, that they are at their prime when in their youth. It is questionable as to how this theme of time and place has altered over the centuries, and can be explored through the close analysis of differences found between sixteenth, seventeenth century poets and modern day.

Andrew Marvell explores how following death, morality is of no value, and proclaims such views to his mistress. Typical of metaphysical poets of the time, Marvell investigates the famous Roman term 'carpe diem'', and uses the phrase to inform the mistress that she can avoid experiencing regrets of not being adventurous during her life by seizing the day. The poem is split into three stanzas, with each stanza establishing its own pace and tone. Such as the opening two lines, "Had we but world enough, and time, / This coyness, lady, were no crime", through the punctuation used Marvell slows the pace of the poem, implying that time is of no importance, which he will later argue against in the following stanzas. He furthers this idea that if time was infinite then he, "would/ Love you ten years before the Flood", which suggests that if he did not feel pressured by time then he would love his mistress for eternity. Marvell expresses to his mistress that if time would allow then he would love each part of her body, and over five lines describes these aspects, "Two hundred to adore each breast". The speaker would need two hundred years alone to fully admire and appreciate this particular part of her body. Yet, time will not allow him to do so.

'Counsel to Girls' however, states that women must embrace love when they are young, as they will fail to find it once they are old. Herrick uses the theme of time in a similar way to Marvell, in that both use 'carpe diem' to their advantage, as the poems are focused on women and how they should fall in love quickly without hesitation as time will not wait. Herrick's poem is both forceful and bawdy, it maintains a fast paced rhythm throughout which reflects his view on the concept of time. The opening line, "gather ye rose-buds while ye may", makes use of a metaphor to inform young ladies that they must gather hearts whilst they are young and beautiful, as this is the only opportunity they will have in their life time. Furthermore, Herrick's finishing lines, "For having lost but once your prime, / You may for ever tarry", conclude his poem by implying that once a woman is old they are no security in their lives, as they failed to find love and marry when they were young.

A poem which again uses the theme of time and place, but contrasts to both Marvell and Herrick is Robert Browning's 'Never the Time and Place' speaks of a reunion of two lovers, which is joyous despite their surroundings. Browning describes how "the house is narrow, the place is bleak / Where, outside, rain and wind combine", which suggests that although the two lovers are surrounded by violent nature, they find comfort and security in one another and "warm sleep I and