To+The+Virgins

**To The Virgins, to Make Much of Time: Questions from textbook (page 288)**

**Q1**. The theme of this poem, “live for today”, belogs to a tradition known as //carpe diem// (literally “seize the day”) that was typically Cavalier.

**Q1.a**. Which lines in this poem best summarize this theme? ** A 1.a.** “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may/Old Time is still a-flying” //(lines 1-2)// “Tomorrow will be dying.” //(line 4)// “Then not be coy, but use your time;” //(line 13)// “Times, still succeed the former.” //(line 12)//

**Q1.b.** How do the images in this poem help convey this theme? ** A 1.b.** - The image of the flower that is in its prime today will already be on its way to death the next day à as soon as you reach past the point of beginning to flourish, you start your decline into death and things get more difficult from there (//lines 3- 4)// - The sun symbolizes life, in that it rises up while you’re young, reaches its highest point or middle age, and immediately after begins its decline/it sets into becoming old à the more you head into life, the more you’re setting yourself up for falling //(line 5)// - When one is young they are in better shape mentally and physically to experience things and live your life fully before you get old and cannot do it anymore, or at least not easily //(line 10)//

**Q2**. What is the tone of the poem? ** A 2.** Giving advice from experience, or lack thereof; wise words of wisdom; generally uplifting and inspiring.