Marvell, critical articles; historical perspectives
Example, beginning historical inquiry:
- Read a short life of the poet to identify historical context, potential themes.
- Look for critical introductions along library shelves, e.g., 20th Century Interpretations of . . .
- Library's Introductory Guide to English Literature Research, including Ch. 7, Special Bibliographies: http://www.library.ualberta.ca/subject/english/introguide/index.cfm
- Search MLA bibliography, etc.
- Compare treatments of the poem by 4-6 critics, argue for a specific interpretation in this context.
- Be sure to record full details of the articles you cite for the essay's reference list.
Discuss 2 pages from these articles; assess validity and scope of arguments:
Halli, Robert W., Jr. "The Persuasion of the Coy Mistress." Philological Quarterly, 80 (2001): 57-70.
Poem appears a syllogism proposing sexual congress.
If so, unusual in relation to Marvell's other work.
Poem is really about procreation -- leaving offspring.
Paré (1634) on generation -- overcomes death;
Sexual pleasure not considered on its own merits.Crider, Richard. "Marvell's Valid Logic." College Literature 15 (1988): 224-232.
Poem is a syllogism, if a flawed one; impressive regardless.
17th C university student disputations;
Arguments conducted in syllogisms.
Methods of replying to the syllogism to undo it.Belsey, Catherine. "Love and death in 'To his Coy Mistress'." Post-structuralist readings of English Poetry. Richard Machin and Christopher Norris, Eds. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1987. pp. 105-121.
Dance of Death: enforces mortality, transience vs. our immortality in spirit.
Vs. carpe diem tradition: enjoy bodily pleasures while you can.
Poem also reverses values; death punishes chastity.
Opting for love is to die, to reject the eternal.Essay topic reminder:
4. (due Feb 10). Choose a poem (in the Norton) not previously discussed in class by one of the poets studied during the first five weeks of term (Jan 6 to Feb 9, Shakespeare to Hardy). Offer an interpretation of the poem that takes some account of the historical context of the poet; show in particular how historical aspects inflect the language or content of the poem. Some library research will be essential for this essay.
Document created January 26th 2007 / updated January 18th 2009