lovely text, great comments! assuming God created us (which I like to believe and where some would rather call it 'intelligent design') our emotions were created as part of us and it doesn't make sense to deny them. therefore, given the tools and means to lead our lives as best we can and should, there's nothing inherently "wrong" with falling in love and figuring out the best way to respond to it. to be wooed can be fun too, regardless of the outcome.... and perhaps, in case of this lady and the subject of this author's manifold excuses to "please make haste and go for it!", the author of this poem had competitors and felt that speed was essential? which is a mistake, because it remains to be seen if women like to be hurried.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for the very interesting comment! Within English literature and philosophy there is a very long discussion about whether the emotions ought to be absolutely indulged, absolutely suppressed, or redirected towards a particular end. Your comment has inspired me to reread the authors on this topic, which might feature in a future essay.
The speaker's haste, I think, is inspired by his reflection that youth and beauty are fleeting, so you should make good use of them while you have them.
both English literature and philosophy are rich, inspiring subjects! however, isn't it the subjective, outward form of youth and beauty that is fleeting, while even in older years we can still be young at heart and have beauty as part of our character? much depends on the definition one adheres to for 'youth and beauty' (very tricky!).
An enlightening and fun perspective.
Very nice of you to say so. Thank you!
lovely text, great comments! assuming God created us (which I like to believe and where some would rather call it 'intelligent design') our emotions were created as part of us and it doesn't make sense to deny them. therefore, given the tools and means to lead our lives as best we can and should, there's nothing inherently "wrong" with falling in love and figuring out the best way to respond to it. to be wooed can be fun too, regardless of the outcome.... and perhaps, in case of this lady and the subject of this author's manifold excuses to "please make haste and go for it!", the author of this poem had competitors and felt that speed was essential? which is a mistake, because it remains to be seen if women like to be hurried.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for the very interesting comment! Within English literature and philosophy there is a very long discussion about whether the emotions ought to be absolutely indulged, absolutely suppressed, or redirected towards a particular end. Your comment has inspired me to reread the authors on this topic, which might feature in a future essay.
The speaker's haste, I think, is inspired by his reflection that youth and beauty are fleeting, so you should make good use of them while you have them.
both English literature and philosophy are rich, inspiring subjects! however, isn't it the subjective, outward form of youth and beauty that is fleeting, while even in older years we can still be young at heart and have beauty as part of our character? much depends on the definition one adheres to for 'youth and beauty' (very tricky!).
from ethics comes the idea that most importantly it is to 'do the right thing, and do it well' - https://psychcentral.com/blog/how-to-do-the-right-thing#1 - which should also go for handling our emotions. and then there's Dickens: 'Persevere in a thorough determination to do whatever you have to do, as well as you can do it...' - https://www.themarginalian.org/2013/02/07/charles-dickens-advice-to-son-plorn/
Yes, you're right. This is where Marvell's speaker falls short: no mention of character.