TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME
Robert Herrick’s poem To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time, argues that youth is fleeting and more so for young beautiful women. The poet does not hesitate to use foreboding language in passing his message, and he makes many metaphorical allusions to the processes of death and decay. His work, therefore, functions as a warning or threat that propagates Robert Herrick’s views on life in an argumentative and uncompromising way. Consequently, the poet uses dire auguries in conjunction with commonplace metaphorical allusions to argue out the fleeting nature of life, and subsequently proposes an epicurean way of living.
The poet furthers an agenda of youthful living or ‘seizing the moment’ in his poem. His tone is hurried and dire thus showing that the persona has assumed a firm stance. He first argues that life is short and human beings should utilize their time efficiently. “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may/ Old Time is still a flying” (Herrick, lines 1-2). The speaker both advices and warns readers in the two lines. He urges young women to receive love tokens in their youthful prime before their beauty deteriorates, and they no longer have suitors. The poet’s stance is incitative and shallow, since there are many things young women can do during their tender ages. However, the poet issues an ultimatum that is likely to win most readers to his viewpoint. He adds that the passing of time is sufficient to render a young lady forlorn and without marriage prospects. Consequently, he wins the argument since most women get engaged when young.
The themes of decay and death punctuate Robert Herrick’s work. He writes, “And this same flower that smiles today/ Tomorrow will be dying” (Herrick, lines 3-4). Therefore, the macabre features in his argument since the speaker reiterates the wisdom of capitalizing on youth before death. What makes Herrick’s argument believable is the constant use of threats and grave predictions which, appeal to the fear of death inherent in many people. He uses fear more than any other emotion to assert his claims. Additionally, the poet uses the flower as a symbol of beauty and goodness that only last when the plant is in bloom. When the flower dies no one admires it, and its former splendor is lost forever. The symbol speaks to the common experience of life where beauty is valued in every situation. As such, Herrick’s argument becomes more effective.
The fatalistic quality of Robert Herrick’s poem is seen in the lines: “The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun/ The higher he’s a-getting/ The sooner will his race be run/ And nearer he’s to setting” (Herrick, lines 5-8). According to him, everything, including life has an eventual end, and the only solution presented to man is to seize any form of happiness he can while he still breathes. Notably, Herrick’s sentiments digress from many religious doctrines that ascertain life is eternal, albeit in another realm. His views are atheistic and contain elements of nihilism. He uses extensive imagery to show the pointlessness of life, and the tragedy of death that arrives without prior warning. Consequently, the only remedy is indulgence in the few joys that life affords its victims.
Additionally, the author uses comparisons to show the destitution of old age and the relative happiness of youth. “That age is best which is the first/ When youth and blood are warmer/ But being spent, the worse, and worst/ Times still succeed the former” (Herrick, lines 9-12). Youth is the grace period life offers human beings before plunging them into the utter despair of old age. It, therefore, bolsters the advice to partake in love and courtship when the seasons allow. Robert Herrick also portrays the misery of decay and death to urge young people to live a fulsome life. He shows that time will ultimately triumph over every achievement and source of joy they boast of. Consequently, his philosophy advocates for quick and fastidious experience of life since there is no victory over time and death.
Herrick’s last appeal is to be gay and merry during one’s youth. He discourages coyness and reserve which, is a misguided piece of advice since shyness can prevent one from making regrettable errors. “Then be not coy, but use your time/ And while ye may, go marry/ For having lost but once your prime/ You may forever tarry” (Herrick, lines 13-16). Robert Herrick sacrifices adventure and spontaneity in favor of pragmatism and practicality. He uses arguments that portend failure and misery for his detractors, and thus his stance appears unchallengeable. However, the poet’s arguments are accompanied by too many threats to hold any persuasive sway over readers. It is also one-sided and allows no room for deviation.
In conclusion, the poem encourages the spirit of indulgence during youth to enhance the experience of life. It uses warnings and banal allusions to show the severity of old age and the comparative advantages of youth and vigor. However, the poet misses his mark since he does not consider other avenues of joy and meaningfulness, such as art and career. Lastly, it is left to the individual to determine the course of his life, and the older generation should seize imposing their opinions on young people.
Works Cited
Herrick, Robert. To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time. 1648. Retrieved from Poets.org.