Thursday, April 2, 2009

Tone in "To His Coy Mistress"

In the poem “To His Coy Mistress” Andrew Marvell uses a non-serious tone, even though the reality of the poem is on a very serious subject. This poem also uses hyperbole, which helps contribute to the depth of the tone. The yearning and search for love in this poem is cut and dry. Marvell uses hyperbole and a fairytale tone in order to break up the conflict that the poem in tells. Line twenty-four states, “Deserts of vast eternity.” (Marvell, 783). This hyperbole tells the reader the exact exaggeration of his love for his mistress is and will be. The descriptiveness in this poem also helps set the tone. Line thirty four and thirty five state, “Now therefore, while the youthful hue sits on thy skin like morning glew.” (Marvell, 784). By writing with description, Marvell is able to show his true feelings for his mistress. Also the way that Marvell uses playful words helps contribute to the tone of the poem. It also lets the reader know that the poem is nonchalant.

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