Traditional and Feminist Lens of Marvell and Hope

Many poets wrote their poems in either a traditional or feminist lens. Andrew Marvell and A.D. Hope were no different. Andrew Marvell’s “To his Coy Mistress” from the 1600s was wrote in the traditional lens. While A.D. Hope’s “His Coy Mistress to Mr. Marvell” from the modern times took the feminist route in his reply to Andrew Marvell. Marvell uses exaggerated metaphors to persuade his beloved woman. Instead of the normalcy of respectful adulation, he offers lustful invitation; rather than anticipating rejection, he assumes sexual dominion over the eponymous “mistress”. Meanwhile Hope uses Marvell’s words and basically throws them right into his face. Hope is tearing down everything Marvell said. It is a choice of interruption of opinion whether one wants to believe the speaker of this poem is speaking sweetly to get what he wants, or if he truly feels this passionately about his mistress. He is not even speaking of passion at all. He is moved by lust; therefore he is claiming it is love, an intense sexual desire. First, he does not want to give her time to think about whether or not this is the right thing it to do. “Had we but the world enough, and time, this coyness, lady, were no crime” (1 Marvell), while Hope returned with “Since you have world enough and time Sir, to admonish me in rhyme” (1 Hope). Marvell is telling her that she has no time to waste. Hope is saying that since is it his decision that time is running out. However, these statements are followed by more pressure for physical completion of their relationship. He “always hears time’s winged chariot hurrying near” (Coy Mistress). He goes on to say that in a few years, she will no longer be beautiful. He implies that he may be kept from taking her physical chastity, “but the worms will devour it anyway, so what [will she] have gained?” – another implication that her aging will make her inept in his eyes (Sound). He is basically saying now or never. With the lines, “The grave’s a fine and