INSTITUTE OF OPEN EDUCATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
- HUE UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
BRITISH LITERATURE
COMPARE THE POEMS
“THE PASSIONATE SHEPHERD TO HIS LOVE”
AND “THE NYMPH’S REPLY TO THE SHEPHERD”
Instructor : CAM LIEN, MA.
Student : TRAN TU QUANG
Class : HCM8
Student’s ID : 7050000723
Ho Chi Minh City, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 3
CHAPTER 2: THE COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO POEMS .................................... 5
2.1. Similarities ................................................................................................................... 5
2.2. Differences .................................................................................................................... 6
2.3. Personal views .............................................................................................................. 8
CHAPTER 3: CONCLUSION ............................................................................................. 9
REFERENCES .................................................................................................................... 10
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
During the Elizabethan era, poetry developed as a form of artistic expression. This
period, from the late 16th to early 17th century, was marked by a successful literature, arts,
and exploration, this happened at the same time as Queen Elizabeth I was ruling England.
Elizabethan poetry often reflected the cultural and social values of the time, exploring themes
of love, nature, politics, and spirituality. In those days, folks were really into nature-inspired
poems. They'd paint this beautiful picture of countryside life with shepherds and nymphs
living peacefully alongside nature. Poets back then loved talking about love, longing, and
how life is fleeting using these images.
Poets like Christopher Marlowe and Sir Walter Raleigh were famous writers during
Queen Elizabeth's time. They added a lot to the poetry scene back then. Their poems, like
"The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" and "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd," show how
poets back then liked to talk to each other through their poems. They'd explore different ideas
and viewpoints, especially about nature, love, and life. These poems engage in a dialogue,
kind of like a conversation. In Marlowe's poem, a shepherd is excited and asks his love to
come live with him in the countryside, where everything's perfect. But Raleigh's poem is like
a reality check. It's more skeptical and says, "Nah, life's not that perfect," and turns down the
shepherd's romantic ideas about love and nature.
Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) was a renowned English playwright, poet, and
translator, known for his significant contributions to Elizabethan literature. Marlowe's works,
including "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love," often explore themes of love, desire, and
the pastoral ideal, capturing the essence of the Renaissance period's fascination with nature
and romance.
Sir Walter Raleigh (1552-1618), a contemporary of Marlowe, was a versatile figure in
the Elizabethan era, excelling as a writer, courtier, explorer, and statesman. In "The Nymph's
Reply to the Shepherd," Raleigh provides a counterpoint to Marlowe's romanticism, offering
a pragmatic and skeptical view of love and the promises of youth. Through his poem, Raleigh
challenges the idealized vision of love presented by Marlowe, presenting a more nuanced
perspective on human nature and relationships.
This paper will dive into a comparison between two renowned poets and their works
and examine the similarities and differences between the poems of Christopher Marlowe and
Sir Walter Raleigh. Each poet's style, themes, and use of imagery will be carefully analyzed
to uncover similarities and differences. Finally, this paper shows my own insights and
preferences based on the comparison, offering a personal perspective on their works.
CHAPTER 2
THE COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO POEMS
2.1. Similarities
Christopher Marlowe's "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" and Sir Walter
Raleigh's "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd" may seem like contrasting viewpoints on
love at first look. One a dreamy invitation, the other a grounded response. However, under
the surface, these poems share a surprising number of similarities that create a fascinating
idea of opposites.
• Structured for a Conversation
Both poems utilize the same form, the quatrain. Each poem consists of six stanzas with
four lines each. This shared structure creates a sense of balance and allows for a clear
exchange of ideas. It's almost as if the poems are built to be a conversation, with the shepherd
presenting his case in the first poem and the nymph offering her counterpoint in the reply.
• Love: The Central Theme
Despite their differing approaches, both poems revolve around the central theme of love.
The shepherd expresses his passionate feelings and desire for a life together. The nymph, on
the other hand, considers what love is like and what it needs to last a long time. Though their
perspectives differ, love remains the driving force behind their words.
• A World Painted with Words
Vivid imagery is a tool both poems use effectively. The shepherd uses fresh imagery to
entice the nymph. He paints a picture of a world overflowing with natural beauty: endless
flowers, meadows bursting with life, and the constant melody of music. The nymph, however,
uses contrasting imagery. She points out that these things don't last forever, comparing them
to how seasons change to show how temporary joys are.
• A Reply, Not Just a Reaction
While not a direct conversation, the poems function as a fun back-and-forth. The nymph's
reply directly references the shepherd's invitation, creating a sense of interaction. She doesn't
simply dismiss his proposal; she engages with it, offering her own perspective on what love
entails. This creates a delightful dialogue between the two characters, even though they never
speak directly to each other.
• Nature's Role in the Tapestry
Nature plays a significant role in both poems, but with different purposes. The shepherd
uses nature's beauty and abundance as a selling point for his perfect life idea. The nymph, in
turn, uses the changing seasons of nature to highlight the transience of physical pleasures.
This difference in focus highlights the contrasting perspectives on love presented in the
poems.
These shared elements, despite their contrasting applications, showcase the poems'
connection as a delightful back-and-forth about love's complexities. They are two sides of the
same coin, exploring the ideal and the real, the passionate and the practical. Examining these
similarities allows us to appreciate the poems not just as individual works, but as a unified
whole, enriching our understanding of love's multifaceted nature.
2.2. Differences
While "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" by Christopher Marlowe and "The Nymph's
Reply to the Shepherd" by Sir Walter Raleigh might seem like a simple love song and its
rebuttal, a closer look reveals a fascinating clash of perspectives on love, time, and reality.
Here's where these poems truly diverge:
• Idealistic Escape vs. Grounded Reality
The shepherd's world is an idealized escape. He paints a picture of a life frozen in perpetual
springtime, filled with endless flowers, singing birds, and carefree leisure. He promises a life
devoid of hardship or responsibility. The nymph, however, offers a grounded perspective.
She acknowledges the beauty of his vision but highlights the unavoidable changes that happen
as time goes on. Seasons change, beauty fades, and material possessions lose their luster.
• Love's Focus: Passion vs. Practicality
The shepherd's love is focused on passion and sensual pleasures. He promises a life filled
with music, dance, and constant feasts. The nymph, on the other hand, emphasizes practicality
and a love that endures beyond fleeting pleasures. She desires a love built on respect, loyalty,
and shared experiences. For her, love needs a stronger foundation than mere passion.
• Nature's Portrayal: Eternal Paradise vs. Fleeting Beauty
Nature plays a key role in both poems, but its portrayal is vastly different. The shepherd
presents nature as an eternal paradise, unchanging and ever abundant. The nymph, however,
highlights nature's cyclical nature. She uses the changing seasons and the withering of flowers
as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of the shepherd's promises.
• The Power of Time: Ignored vs. Embraced
The shepherd's world exists outside of time. There is no mention of aging, illness, or the
challenges that life throws our way. The nymph, in contrast, embraces the power of time. She
acknowledges that beauty fades and pleasures change and suggests that love needs to be
strong enough to weather these changes.
• The Voice of Authority: Male Gaze vs. Female Response
It's important to consider the historical context. The shepherd's poem represents a male
gaze, offering a vision of love where the woman is the passive recipient of his affections. The
nymph's reply challenges this perspective. She offers a strong female voice, rejecting the
shepherd's promises and asserting her own desires and needs in a relationship.
These differences create a compelling tension between the two poems. The shepherd's
passionate invitation is countered by the nymph's practical response. By examining these
contrasting views, we gain a richer understanding of love's complexities. Is it about fleeting
passion or a love that endures the test of time? These poems leave us pondering, offering no
easy answers, but a beautiful exploration of love's multifaceted nature.
2.3. Personal views
When I read "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love," it feels like being swept away
into a fairy tale world where love is pure, and nature is magical. It makes me yearn for a
simple life filled with beauty and romance, where every day feels like an adventure. However,
as much as I'm drawn to the shepherd's passionate plea, there's a part of me that wonders if
life can truly be as perfect as he describes.
On the other hand, "The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd" brings me back down to
earth. The nymph's response feels grounded and realistic, reminding me that love isn't always
easy, and that the world is full of complexities. It makes me reflect on the fleeting nature of
happiness and how our perceptions of love and beauty can change over time. While it may
not have the same romantic allure as the shepherd's invitation, the nymph's reply resonates
with me on a deeper level, reminding me to approach love with caution and wisdom.
In the end, both poems offer valuable insights into the nature of love and human
desires. While "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" fills me with a sense of wonder and
enchantment, "The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd" grounds me in reality, prompting me to
consider the complexities of love and life. Together, they form a beautiful dialogue that
speaks to the timeless themes of romance, longing, and the search for meaning in a changing
world.
CHAPTER 3
CONCLUSION
Christopher Marlowe's "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" and Sir Walter
Raleigh's "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd" may appear, at first glance, to be opposing
viewpoints on love. One, a dreamy escape into a world of passion and beauty, the other a
grounded response highlighting the realities of time and change. However, a closer look
reveals a fascinating dance – a conversation about love's multifaceted nature.
Despite their contrasting perspectives, the poems share a surprising number of
similarities. Both are structured for a dialogue, use vivid imagery, and explore the central
theme of love, albeit with different focuses. Nature plays a significant role in both poems,
though presented in contrasting ways. These shared elements, even in their opposition, create
a delightful interplay, enriching our understanding of the poems.
However, it's the differences that truly make these poems captivating. The shepherd's
idealized world clashes with the nymph's pragmatism, highlighting the tension between
passionate desire and enduring commitment. Their contrasting views on time, love's focus,
and the role of nature create a captivating tension, inviting us to consider the complexities of
love in all its forms.
Ultimately, “The Passionate Shepherd” and “The Nymph's Reply” don't offer a single
answer on what love should be. Instead, they present a beautiful tapestry woven from two
distinct perspectives. They leave us pondering the questions of passion versus practicality,
the ideal versus the real, and the enduring power of love in a world of change.
REFERENCES
• The Nymphs Reply to The Shepherd
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44939/the-nymphs-reply-to-the-shepherd
• The Passionate Shepherd to His Love
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44675/the-passionate-shepherd-to-his-love
