1. TO THE VIRGINS: TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME Robert Herrick By: Billy Friel & Sidney Sokoloff

2. Robert Herrick (1591-1674)  Entered Cambridge University in 1613, graduating with a master of arts degree in 1620.  Ordained a minister in 1623; four years later served as a chaplain in the Duke of Buckingham's Isle of Rhe expedition, a failed attempt to come to the aid of Protestants in predominantly Catholic France.  Spent the next few years earning a name as a poet.  In 1648 Herrick published his major collection, Hesperides, consisting of 1200 poems

3. To The Virgins: To Make Much of Time Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying: And this same flower that smiles to-day To-morrow will be dying. The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, The higher he's a-getting, The sooner will his race be run, And nearer he's to setting. That age is best which is the first, When youth and blood are warmer; But being spent, the worse, and worst Times still succeed the former. Then be not coy, but use your time, And while ye may, go marry: For having lost but once your prime, You may for ever tarry

4. Background of the Poem  Lines 1-4  In the opening stanza, Herrick introduces the main theme of the poem, carpe diem; this phrase literally means ‘seize the day’.  The gathering of rosebuds is a metaphor for living life to the fullest. (Like the "virgins," the roses are buds, fresh, youthful and brimming with life)  On any particular day, people can experience joy and happiness, while the next day could be death.  Lines 5-8  Herrick expands on the idea and image of fleeting time and the shortness of life.  The movement of the sun in the sky represents the passing of time.  The sun is usually a symbol of warmth, but the image of a sun setting brings a darker tone as a traditional symbol for death.

5. Background of the Poem  Lines 9-12  Youth, when the blood is ‘warm’, is the best time of ones life, evokes the idea of carpe diem, and implies one should celebrate by indulging in it.  Herrick adds an ironic twist to the notion of pursuing love by suggesting that love is not a way to escape death. However one should pursue it as part of their journey which ultimately ends in death.  Lines 13-16  Unites the natural cycles of life and death.  Herrick urges the ‘virgins’, who represent all those who are young and inexperienced, to pursue love and the "natural" union of matrimony, therefore adding a religious tone to the poem.

6. Poetic Technique: Carpe Diem  “Seize the Day”  What does this mean? Tries to connect emotionally with reader Common with Lyric Poetry Poetry presenting deep feeling and emotion  Emphasizing a short lifespan “…And this same flower that smiles today / Tomorrow will be dying.”

7. Poetic Technique: Symbol  Person, place, or object that adds an abstract quality to a story, or manipulates the story to the authors interest  Ex: Roses Have very short lifespan Evokes Carpe Diem

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