Analysis Of To The Virgins To Make Much Of Time

An Interpretation of Robert Herrick’s “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” (1641) In Robert Herrick’s “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” there is a recurring theme of Carpe diem throughout the piece. Carpe diem means to “seize the day” or live life to the fullest. Herrick’s clever use of metaphors and personification sets the tone of the story. Life is cruel in that it gives a person so little time to be young, however, “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” encourages its reader to live the best life one can. Robert Herrick’s “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” is a relatively simple poem. It consists of the narrator talking to a general group of people. It is basically a lyric poem. Lyric poetry is composed of poetry that portrays the true emotions of the poet. Robert Herrick was born in 1591 and this poem was not published until 1641. Herrick was well into his fifties at the time with an obviously strong opinion about how a person should go about living his or her life. In the first stanza Herrick says “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may” (line 1) which can mean many different things. This statement is probably referring to the rosebuds as opportunities; however they can also refer to other things like a woman’s virginity or just a youth group in general. Herrick is trying to get a message across that today we are young but tomorrow we will wilt like a rose. This keeps the overall concept of Carpe diem holding strong throughout the poem. The author is a firm believer …show more content…
Although Herrick does have a slight didactic tone it seems he truly means well. The author seems to be speaking from personal memories since he well into age as he writes this piece of work. The reader can be sympathetic towards the author because Herrick writes as if he has a big regret in life that he wishes he could take back. Life is very cruel by giving us so little time to enjoy our youthful days. Carpe diem is a wonderful expression to live by that encourages the reader throughout this poem to “seize the day.” One should not lie around and waste all of his or her opportunity. The focus of Herrick’s poem is that life only happens once and it is very important that to advantage of any and all things offered in this