Renaissance Literature Exam - Assignment Example

Number] In the pastoral poetry of Robert Herrick’s “Corinna Goes A-Maying” and Andrew Marvell’s “The Mower Against the Gardens,” the innocent wonder of nature supersedes the artificial novelty of man-made designs. Examine the images in each poem and explain how they establish an innate connection between nature and humanity. In the process, discuss why the love cultivated in nature achieves its greatest fruition when one becomes immersed in the countryside’s rustic beauty. Make sure to cite a number of passages from each poem and analyze them fully to substantiate your argument.

Robert Herrick has infused carpe diem theme with pastoral setting in ‘Corinna Goes A-Maying’. Such a type of poetry entails diction of a lover in a benevolent and vivid style (Brackett, p. 83-84). Its poetic style portrays an illusion for the lovers to be in harmony. Thus, Herrick has crafted a young man’s dream to be with her Corinna on a beautiful early morning of May. The poet stresses enough throughout the poem on her lover to be out of bed in the magnificent early morning and feel the dew on grass and trees (Black et. al, p.756, line 6).

The exquisiteness of flowers with heavy dew has made them bend towards east and such a unique sight would be viewable, if one does get up early to marvel the natural beauty. Herrick due to his profession (priesthood) emphasizes that early morning of May is the best time for the couples to unite and get married (Black et. al, p.756, stanza 1). As love blooms more in natural setting without the presence of materialism. Here, he signifies the fact that humans and nature have a deep rooted relation, which cannot break or reduce.

As from birth till death nature develops and nourishes man. Hence, artificial or man-made commodities cannot much benefit man in long run. The wide fields on an early May morning are shaped like an ark, where people should pray and praise the beauty God has created for them (Black et. al, p.756stanza 3). Therefore, to stay inside on such a beautiful morning would be equivalent to sin or adversity. Herrick advises Corrina to benefit from the Christian ritual of Mayday celebration, which promotes young men and women to interact, meet and chose their future spouse without indulging into illicit sex.

Illicit relationships are based on lust and lust does not long last for a reliable relationship. The foundation of long lasting relationship is based on true love and understanding, which can only be attained if the truth is out in open; like the nature (Black et. al, p.756,Stanza 4). Therefore, if one wants to choose an honest and reliable life partner, he needs to avoid artificial environment and rather chose natural course to depict his love. Since nothing lasts in this natural world; therefore; it is necessary for man to enjoy all the moments of life.

Life is too short to stay inside and grieve about the miseries, but to be out in the natural world and be pleased with its beauty. Simultaneously, getting married is one way to please God and oneself as well (Black et. al, p.756, stanza 5). Andrew Marvell’s ‘The Mower Against the Gardens’ is also an example of pastoral convention poetry and its style of diction is rhymed couplets with which the poet has puts forth several question towards his readers. Marvell has also chosen to narrate from the view point of a true green naturalist.

Therefore, his poetry entails the natural relationship of man with nature and how innovation in nature has caused nature and man equal thrashing. Urban and rural life with the prominent effect of modernization has resulted in the decline of traditional natural lifestyle (Rudrum, Black & Nelson p.348, line 4). The secret power of nature and its constructive effects on humans were intact, when human did not impede with the natural processes of nature, but with his interference nature saw a change, which is inflexible.

Mower the narrator condemns the infusion of other buds with tulip, as the white tulip lost its significance after the innovation of coloured ones (ibid, 348, line 13). Thus, man declined the worth of nature and increased the worth of a man-made economical commodity. Mower declares this infusion as a sin and compares it with adultery (ibid, 348, line 22-30). As this type of infusion has reduced the worth of natural plantation and the new generated flowers enfold attraction, and are in demand like the women of brothels.

The difference between natural pastorals and man-made gardens is their beauty of self growth and nourishment. Hence, man tends his meadows with meticulous care with infused incarnations in them and wild flowers, plant and trees decorate the Earth without any help (ibid, 348, line 34). These meadows have granted benefit to several living beings but man-made meadows have only generated profit for few individuals. One main drawback of them is the reduction of value of nature, which is an unforgivable sin.

As fauns and fairies take care of these meadows while human’s interference has obscured their path too (ibid, 348, line 35). The poet has discussed four seasons and how they have benefited man in all ages and times, but man has disrupted the natural system with his intrusion. The objective of the poet was to condemn the absorption of the elite class in artificially crafted gardens, which raged the trend of concocting two different plants (Bushnell, p.180). Works Cited: Top of Form Top of Form Black, Joseph L. et. al.

 The Broadview Anthology of British Literature: Volume 2. Peterborough, Ont: Broadview Press, 2010. Print. Top of Form Bushnell, Rebecca W. A Culture of Teaching: Early Modern Humanism in Theory and Practice. Ithaca, N.Y: Cornell University Press, 1996. Print. Top of Form Brackett, Virginia. The Facts on File Companion to British Poetry, 17th and 18th Centuries. New York: Facts On File, 2008. Print. Rudrum, Alan, Joseph L. Black, and Holly F. Nelson. The Broadview Anthology of Seventeenth-Century Verse & Prose.

Peterborough, Ont: Broadview Press, 2001. Print. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form