The Passsionate Shepherd

A detailed Summary of The Passsionate Shepherd

People cannot exist within the context of society, without encountering the contrasting polarities of the human heart. The theme in Christopher Marlowe's poem "The Passionate Shepard to His Love" (circa 1600 A.D.), and the theme in Sir Walter Raleigh's poem "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepard" (circa 1552? -1618 A.D.), portray the contrasting themes of love and hate.

Christopher Marlowe's poem "The Passionate Shepard to His Love" is a poem that manifest hope, love and eternal optimism. Marlowe's character is the archetype of goodness and strength. Marlowe chose a shepherd for his character, because a shepherd represents; goodness, strength, and independence. The character recalls the biblical significance denominated to a shepherd that of a leader, a provider of sorts. To date some denominations of Christian religions still call their congregations "flocks" and their leader a "Pastor."

The first stanza of Marlowe's poem is about a proposal that offers a future and offers the most beautiful condition of human existence . . . love "Come live with me and be my love" (1). With this line the shepherd is making clear his intentions of marriage. The author chose the word "come" because of the con

With buckles of the purest gold. (13-16)

Fair lined slippers for the cold,

Which from our pretty lambs we pull;

Love is again offered in the form of symbolic gifts. Some gifts symbolize the shepherd's inner beauty: "And I will make thee beds of roses/With a thousand fragrant poises" (9-10). These gifts are not material; they are labours of love meant to symbolize the beauty he is offering. Other gifts introduce a sense of materialism:

There is hate in all of the Nymph's replies, it is especially prevalent as the nymph refuses everything that the shepherd is offering, including his gifts "Soon break, soon whither, soon forgotten" (15). This line is intended to let the shepherd know that beautiful things can fulfill her. Further rejection comes in the fifth stanza "All these in me no means can move" (19). Nothing that the shepherd can do will appeal to her.

Sir Walter Raleigh's character in "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd," is portrayed as a pessimistic, experienced persona who rejects love and all that the shepherd has to offer "If all the world and love were young/And truth in every shepherd's tongue" (1-2). These two lines reveal the Nymph's unrealistic and experienced outlook at life. Expect

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Approximate Word count = 833
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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