Carpe Diem in Poetry :: Poem Poetry

The Latin term carpe diem is a descriptive word for literature that presses readers to "seize the moment." It mainly tries to pursue a woman or women that they have true physical beauty and should take advantage of their good looks now before time will take a toll on them. The word carpe diem puts impact on examples of both poems of, "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" by Robert Herrick, and "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell. Herrick's poem, "To The Virgins, to Make Much of Time," portrays carpe diem by citing the shortness of life and persuading young women to marry and enjoy the life of youth at its advantage before death takes its turn. In the poem "To His Coy Mistress", Marvell consist more traits of carpe diem by persuading a certain woman in being his wife. He uses examples of time and age diminishing her beauty and youth and will leave her with nothing left. They both compare to each other by making the most of each moment before old age and beauty disappears. Herrick's "To The Virgins, to Make Much of Time" fits the meaning of carpe diem by encouraging the beauty of youth and life itself. His calm and moralizing detachment from the personal environment pursues his own view of time and life. Then not be coy but use your time, And, while ye may, go marry: For having lost but once your prime You may forever tarry.