1. Carpe Diem Poetry: Seize the Day!

2. What does this phrase mean?   “Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been.”

3. Carpe Diem  Literally means, “pluck the day” as in “plucking” or pulling flowers  Advises the reader to take action now. Gather moments in life like you gather flowers.  But remember, these moments don’t last long; flowers cut off from the roots die soon…

4. Origins  Attributed to the ancient Roman poet Horace, 65 B.C.E.  Composed a book of poems entitled “Odes” Scale back your long hopes to a short period. While we speak, time is envious and is running away from us. Seize the day, trusting little in the future.

5. Other Versions of This Same Theme  “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we will die.” --Biblical reference (Isaiah)  "collige, virgo, rosas" appears in a Virgil (remember Dante’s guide?) poem, meaning "gather, girl, the roses."

6. Carpe Diem Defined…  This kind of poetry was often used to woo women or to justify the wooing of women.  Woo means to convince or persuade; in the Renaissance, the purpose of a carpe diem poem was to persuade a young woman to make love…

7. Carpe Diem (poetic sense)  A poem intended to persuade a young woman to become a lover by convincing her that time (and most usually her beauty) is fleeting.

8. Another Approach…  “Other approaches to carpe diem encourage the reader to transcend the mundane, recognize the power of each moment, however brief, and value possibility for as long as possibility exists.”—Academy of American Poets

9. Modern/Contemporary Approach  Because carpe diem begins with the premise that life is short, modern readers see this as “possibility” (so much potential) but also “futility” (pointlessness because time is limited)

10. Existentialism  In the literary world, when life is seen as pointless and useless, we have entered the school of existential thought (existentialism)  Life in this world is a big “so what?” Life is short and doesn’t matter, so “who cares?”

11. Grown Up Definition  The existential dilemma suggested by carpe diem includes a sense of helplessness and senselessness, sentiments which are often expressed in a poet's resignation to a life filled with inexplicable losses and hardships.—Academy of American Poets

12. Carpe Diem Poets – Robert Frost   1874-1963   American poet   His work was initially published in England before America.   He is highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech.

13. Carpe Diem Poets – Robert Herrick   1591-1674   English poet   Experienced the turmoil of the English revolution as a Royalist   many of the women mentioned in his poems are thought to have been fictional

14. Carpe Diem Poets – Christopher Marlowe   1564-1593   English poet and playwright   Served as a secret agent for the British government   The Tragicall History of Doctor Faustus   His works influenced William Shakespeare

15. Carpe Diem Poets – John Donne  1572-1631  English poet, cleric, and author  Experienced religious turmoil  Metaphysical poet Uses “strange” metaphors in poetry Uses “strange” metaphors in poetry Tries to “startle” the reader Tries to “startle” the reader Full of paradox and irony Full of paradox and irony

16. Carpe Diem Poets – Andrew Marvell  1621-1678  English poet and satirical author  Politician and diplomat - used political influence to free Milton  His sudden death may have been due to poison  Also a metaphysical poet

17. Explain the idea of carpe diem in this poem.