To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time by HollyAnna Fesler

Time

hf14834 — 2024-12-05 13:19:34 UTC

Time is always moving forward; one may not escape it.

Women's Value During this Time

hf14834 — 2024-12-05 13:22:27 UTC

Young women were seen as the most valuable. The older they get without marrying the less they will be favored by the men around them.

Symbolism

jm14872 — 2024-12-05 13:23:03 UTC

"Gather ye rosebuds..." + "...flower that smiles..."

hf14834 — 2024-12-05 13:26:47 UTC

Stanza 1: Line 3-4

jm14872 — 2024-12-05 13:29:12 UTC

Herrick uses the 'Flower' to symbolize a woman's virginity. While she is young her flower smiles, and suitors still chase after her. However if she waits too long she will lose her youth, then her virginity will no longer be valuable. (JM)

Author's Diction

nm14788 — 2024-12-05 13:32:21 UTC

"That age is best which is the first"

"You may forever tarry"

Being young and starting your life is the best time to get married and have a family. But if you wait too long because you are shy or picky, time is slowly wasted and you will lose the youth and beauty which men love and lust for.

Seize the day and your youth.

hf14834 — 2024-12-05 13:38:04 UTC

Throughout the whole poem, the major idea the author is trying to share is that women must marry while they are still valued to men. While they might be beautiful and young right now, that doesn't last forever. Time is a never ending cycle that unfortunately is against women during this period. If they do not find a suite in their 'prime' then they may be waiting to find a lover for the rest of their lives. The older they get the less they appeal the (icky) men of their time.

Tims V.S. Women V.S Men

jm14872 — 2024-12-05 13:43:07 UTC

Time is fleeting for women in two ways, their youth and their reproductive system. People only lived to around 35, so that would be considered old. As women get older they lose their youth, beauty, and fertility. With the loss of these concepts, women become less valuable to men. The men get to choose when the woman is valuable enough to deflower. So if there happens to be a woman, that no man thinks is beautiful in their community then she's just doomed to a life without children and companionship. (JM)

"Then not be coy, but use your time, And while ye May, go marry;"

jm14872 — 2024-12-05 14:17:58 UTC

The author's diction here is meant to push the young woman to be with him. He doesn't want her to me shy or modest, but instead to be bold so he can deflower and marry her. He wants her while she is a young beauty, fertile, and pure. (JM)

Metaphor

nm14788 — 2024-12-05 19:05:51 UTC

"And this same flower that smiles today tomorrow will be dying."

As days go by, time will die quickly including her youth and prime/beauty just like a flower.

Metaphor

nm14788 — 2024-12-05 19:21:45 UTC

"The sun, the higher he's a-getting, the sooner will his race be run."

The sun rising is being compared to the time that's wasted. The sun rising is the time being used up being in your prime/youth while trying to find a partner and start a family before times up.