Carpe Diem PoetryCarpe Diem PoetryMetaphysical Poets:Metaphysical Poets:

Robert HerrickRobert HerrickAndrew MarvellAndrew Marvell

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Carpe DiemCarpe Diem► Latin for “seize the day”Latin for “seize the day”► Carpe diem quam minimum credula posteroCarpe diem quam minimum credula postero –  –

"Seize the Day, putting as little trust as "Seize the Day, putting as little trust as possible in the next [day]" –Horace, an possible in the next [day]" –Horace, an Epicurean thinkerEpicurean thinker carperecarpere: to pick or pluck: to pick or pluck ““the philosophy of Epicurus who subscribed to a the philosophy of Epicurus who subscribed to a

hedonistic ethics that considered an imperturbable hedonistic ethics that considered an imperturbable emotional calm the highest good and whose emotional calm the highest good and whose followers held intellectual pleasures superior to followers held intellectual pleasures superior to transient sensualism” (Merriam Webster) transient sensualism” (Merriam Webster)

► ““YOLO”YOLO”► Romans sometimes displayed a human skull Romans sometimes displayed a human skull

at their wild parties as a reminder of the fate at their wild parties as a reminder of the fate no man can escapeno man can escape

Robert HerrickRobert Herrick► 1591-16741591-1674► Apprenticed to his uncle, a London goldsmithApprenticed to his uncle, a London goldsmith

perhaps how he acquired his taste for small, perhaps how he acquired his taste for small, beautiful thingsbeautiful things

► Did not enter a university until age 22 (very late in Did not enter a university until age 22 (very late in that time) and did not leave until 29that time) and did not leave until 29 showed a lack of ambition and driveshowed a lack of ambition and drive

► No regular occupation for the next few yearsNo regular occupation for the next few years► Friends with playwright Ben JohnsonFriends with playwright Ben Johnson► At some point, ordained as a priestAt some point, ordained as a priest► Serious part of his life began at age 39Serious part of his life began at age 39

Robert HerrickRobert Herrick► Sent to a parish in Dean Prior in DevonshireSent to a parish in Dean Prior in Devonshire

went Country referred to as “wretched and went Country referred to as “wretched and barbaric” by Londonersbarbaric” by Londoners

he called Devonshire “dull” and “loathèd”; he he called Devonshire “dull” and “loathèd”; he even kept a tame pig and taught it to drink from even kept a tame pig and taught it to drink from a tall muga tall mug

he once threw his sermon book at a he once threw his sermon book at a congregation that had the audacity to look boredcongregation that had the audacity to look bored

► 1647 – Cromwell’s army arrived and replaced him 1647 – Cromwell’s army arrived and replaced him with a more puritanical preacher (very unlike with a more puritanical preacher (very unlike Herrick)Herrick)

Robert HerrickRobert Herrick► 1648 - lived in London again and published a volume of 1648 - lived in London again and published a volume of

about 1,400 poems (about 1,400 poems (Hesperides, or the Works Both Hesperides, or the Works Both Human and Divine of Robert HerrickHuman and Divine of Robert Herrick, Esq.), Esq.) Hesperides: classic mythological name for collection of nymphs Hesperides: classic mythological name for collection of nymphs

who live in a garden and watch over a tree that bears golden who live in a garden and watch over a tree that bears golden apples; this implies the book is full of precious thingsapples; this implies the book is full of precious things

Less than a fourth fit into the “divine” category--others are Less than a fourth fit into the “divine” category--others are very “human”very “human”

Herrick may have lived a less lively life than his poetryHerrick may have lived a less lively life than his poetry

► When the king was restored 13 years later, Herrick was When the king was restored 13 years later, Herrick was reinstated and lived there until he died at age 83reinstated and lived there until he died at age 83

Robert HerrickRobert Herrick► Entrenched in Latin poetryEntrenched in Latin poetry► Wrote his poems as if he were an ancient Wrote his poems as if he were an ancient

Roman, imposing pagan customs, creeds, and Roman, imposing pagan customs, creeds, and rituals on the English countryfolk and his own rituals on the English countryfolk and his own householdhousehold

► Imitated the Latin love poems when he Imitated the Latin love poems when he addressed poems to beautiful women with addressed poems to beautiful women with classical names (e.g. Julia, Corinna, Perilla, classical names (e.g. Julia, Corinna, Perilla, Anthea, and Electra)Anthea, and Electra)

Robert HerrickRobert Herrick►Other poem topics: his small house, his Other poem topics: his small house, his

spaniel named Tracy, the royal family in spaniel named Tracy, the royal family in London, and whatever came to his mindLondon, and whatever came to his mind

► Poems overall present idea of “Merrie Poems overall present idea of “Merrie England,” an ideal, pastoral state where England,” an ideal, pastoral state where sadness is momentary and pleasure sadness is momentary and pleasure innocentinnocent

►Now apparent that he hid his political Now apparent that he hid his political views behind the guise of pastoral poetryviews behind the guise of pastoral poetry

““To the Virgins, to Make Much of To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time”Time”

““Gather ye rosebuds while Gather ye rosebuds while ye may”ye may”

Helios: Greek god who personified the sun; Helios: Greek god who personified the sun; drove his chariot across the sky every daydrove his chariot across the sky every day

Andrew MarvellAndrew Marvell

► 1621-16781621-1678► Son of a clergymanSon of a clergyman► Studied at Cambridge University and Studied at Cambridge University and

received an excellent educationreceived an excellent education► Poet John Milton, who was not easily Poet John Milton, who was not easily

impressed by other men’s learning said impressed by other men’s learning said Marvell was “well read in the Greek and Marvell was “well read in the Greek and Latin classics”Latin classics”

► After receiving his bachelor’s degree, After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Marvell traveled for several years in Holland, Marvell traveled for several years in Holland, France, Italy, and SpainFrance, Italy, and Spain

Andrew MarvellAndrew Marvell►Not involved in the Civil Wars of the 1640s Not involved in the Civil Wars of the 1640s

(not aligned with Royalists or (not aligned with Royalists or Parliamentarians)Parliamentarians)

► 1650 – tutor to heiress Mary Fairfax, daughter 1650 – tutor to heiress Mary Fairfax, daughter of Sir Thomas Fairfax (lord general of the of Sir Thomas Fairfax (lord general of the Parliamentary armies)Parliamentary armies) wrote “Upon Appleton House” about one of the wrote “Upon Appleton House” about one of the

Fairfax’s estates, Nun AppletonFairfax’s estates, Nun Appleton did not publish this or any of his other poems; did not publish this or any of his other poems;

wrote only for his friends’ and his own wrote only for his friends’ and his own entertainmententertainment

Andrew MarvellAndrew Marvell► After leaving the Fairfaxes, he became tutor to a After leaving the Fairfaxes, he became tutor to a

ward of Oliver Cromwellward of Oliver Cromwell► 1657 – assistant to Cromwell’s secretary of state 1657 – assistant to Cromwell’s secretary of state

after a recommendation from John Miltonafter a recommendation from John Milton► 1659 – active in politics, serving as a member of 1659 – active in politics, serving as a member of

Parliament for his native city, Hull, until his deathParliament for his native city, Hull, until his death► 1660 – King Charles II restored and Commonwealth 1660 – King Charles II restored and Commonwealth

government dissolvedgovernment dissolved had influence with Royalists to save John Milton’s lifehad influence with Royalists to save John Milton’s life published verses satirizing political opponents and prose published verses satirizing political opponents and prose

pamphlets on issues of the daypamphlets on issues of the day Marvell hated the king so much that friends feared he Marvell hated the king so much that friends feared he

would put them in jeopardy; rumors arose that Marvell was would put them in jeopardy; rumors arose that Marvell was poisoned, but it’s more likely that he died during a fever poisoned, but it’s more likely that he died during a fever from lack of medical carefrom lack of medical care

► His housekeeper claimed to be his wife after his His housekeeper claimed to be his wife after his death and sold his lyric poems to a publisherdeath and sold his lyric poems to a publisher

Andrew MarvellAndrew Marvell► Poetry reflects admirable qualities of Poetry reflects admirable qualities of

Renaissance lyrical poetryRenaissance lyrical poetry►Witty, ingenious metaphorsWitty, ingenious metaphors► Some poems light and graceful, but many Some poems light and graceful, but many

are deeper and more thoughtfulare deeper and more thoughtful► Referred to as the “most major” of the Referred to as the “most major” of the

minor English poetsminor English poets

What a Line!What a Line!► Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?► Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk

by again?by again?► Do I know you? ‘Cause you look a lot like my next Do I know you? ‘Cause you look a lot like my next

girlfriend.girlfriend.► People call me John, but you can call me TONIGHT.People call me John, but you can call me TONIGHT.► I hope you know CPR because you take my breath I hope you know CPR because you take my breath

away.away.► I think you need a ticket because you’re looking I think you need a ticket because you’re looking

FINE!FINE!► Are you from Tennessee? You’re the only TEN I SEE!Are you from Tennessee? You’re the only TEN I SEE!► Can I have your picture so I can show Santa what I Can I have your picture so I can show Santa what I

want for Christmas?want for Christmas?► Do your feet hurt from running through my dreams Do your feet hurt from running through my dreams

all night?all night?

““To His Coy Mistress”To His Coy Mistress”Reading notesReading notes► The word The word coycoy comes from the Latin word comes from the Latin word quietusquietus, ,

meaning “to become quiet.” Today coy suggests a meaning “to become quiet.” Today coy suggests a certain deliberate flirtatiousness, a meaning Marvell certain deliberate flirtatiousness, a meaning Marvell would not have employed.would not have employed.

► The word The word mistressmistress at the time this poem was written at the time this poem was written did not mean a sexual partner like it does today; it did not mean a sexual partner like it does today; it was closer to the term was closer to the term girlfriendgirlfriend used now. used now.

► T.S. Eliot praised the “variety and order” of T.S. Eliot praised the “variety and order” of Marvell’s images, noting the “high speed, the Marvell’s images, noting the “high speed, the succession of concentrated images,” and then way succession of concentrated images,” and then way each image magnifies the original idea. He took each image magnifies the original idea. He took Marvell’s words “Let us roll all our strength and all / Marvell’s words “Let us roll all our strength and all / Our sweetness up into one ball” and in “The Love Our sweetness up into one ball” and in “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” wrote, “To have squeezed Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” wrote, “To have squeezed the universe into a ball / To roll it towards some the universe into a ball / To roll it towards some overwhelming question . . . ”overwhelming question . . . ”