Class discussion: (7 questions) Sir Walter Ralegh and Christopher Marlow

1. What is the nymph’s reply to the shepherd?

2. How does the structure of Raleigh’s poem compare to the structure of Marlowe’s poem? What is the effect of Raleigh’s structural choices? Raleigh uses the same number of stanzas and the same rhyme scheme in his poem that Marlowe uses to make it clear that his poem is a response to Marlowe’s poem. The poem can almost be read as a continuation of Marlowe’s poem because the structure is identical. 3. How do Marlowe and Raleigh use similar repeated words and phrases to develop different meanings in their poems? Marlowe’s shepherd repeats the phrase, “live with me and be my love” (Marlowe, lines 1, 24) and “live with me, and be my love” (Marlowe, line 20) to express an eager invitation, while Raleigh’s nymph repeats the phrase, “live with thee, and be thy love” (Raleigh, 4 and 24) and “come to thee and be thy love” (Raleigh, line 20) to emphasize her rejection of the shepherd’s invitation.

4. How do Marlowe and Raleigh use similar imagery to develop different perspectives on the countryside? Marlowe’s shepherd describes sitting “upon the rocks” (Marlowe, line 5) and watching “the shepherds feed their flocks, / By shallow rivers” (Marlowe, lines 6– 7), while Raleigh’s nymph points out that “Time drives the flocks from field to fold, / When Rivers rage and Rocks grow cold” (Raleigh, lines 5–6). Marlowe’s description of fields and rivers develops the shepherd’s perspective that the countryside is peaceful and beautiful, while Raleigh’s description of these same elements develops the nymph’s perspective that the countryside is a harsh, unwelcoming environment. Marlowe’s shepherd describes “beds of roses” (Marlowe, line 9) and “fragrant posies” (Marlowe, line 10). He offers beautiful items of clothing made from natural materials, including a “cap of flowers” and a skirt embroidered with “leaves of myrtle” (Marlowe, lines 11 and 12). Raleigh’s nymph, on the other hand, reminds the shepherd that “flowers do fade” (Raleigh, line 9) and lush fields grow bare in winter. She claims that the gifts the shepherd offers will “[s]oon break, soon wither” and soon be recognized as mistakes, “In folly ripe, in reason rotten” (Raleigh, lines 15–16). Marlowe’s description of gifts made from natural materials develops the shepherd’s perspective of a countryside full of beauty and comfort, while Raleigh’s imagery develops the nymph’s perspective that the countryside is filled with decay.

Add these to your vocabulary: Idealism-a style of art or literature that uses selected features to show or describe people and things that meet standards of beauty and perfection Realism- a style of art or literature that shows or describes people and things as they are in real life.

5. What words or phrases does Marlowe use in “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” to describe the natural world? What is the tone of these words and phrases? Marlowe uses romantic words, including pleasures (lines 2, 19), “steepy” (line 4), “Melodious” (line 8), “fragrant” (line 10), “finest” (line 13), “Fair” (line 15), “purest” (line 16), and “delights” (line 23). 6. What words or phrases does Raleigh use in “The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd” to describe the natural world? What is the tone of these words and phrases? Raleigh uses negative words, including “rage” (line 6), “cold” (line 6), “dumb” (line 7), “complains” (line 8), “wanton” (line 9), “wayward” (line 10), “gall” (line 11), “sorrow[]” (line 12), “break” (line 15), “wither” (line 15), “forgotten” (line 15), and “rotten” (line 16).

7. How does the nymph’s reply to the shepherd develop a central idea in Raleigh’s poem? The nymph’s rejection of the shepherd develops Raleigh’s central idea that the relationship between humans and nature is not as ideal as Marlowe’s shepherd suggests. The nymph’s rejection of the shepherd is also a rejection of the idealistic view of the world that is expressed in the shepherd’s invitation.