Carpe Diem" by Robert Frost Personification of Journal

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 2533 words ( 8 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 8

Carpe Diem" by Robert Frost

Personification of Age

Chiming church bells symbolize time

Children passing symbolize time passing

"Drinking Song" by John Fletcher

Merry, boisterous tone

Caution to the wind

Quick, punchy rhyme scheme

Entertaining but less sincere than Frost

The term "carpe diem," meaning "seize the day" in Italian, encourages a person to make the most of his time while he has it. A carpe diem poem typically emphasizes the elusive or fleeting nature of time, with a particular focus on the passing of youth. In Robert Frost's "Carpe Diem," he personifies Age and places him on a road watching two children pass. Age knows not where the children are headed, but wishes them happiness regardless as those "With happiness should have it. / And yet not know that they have it" (lines 17-18). The passing of time and the innocence of youth is further emphasized by the chiming of the church bells and the "twilight" setting (lines 2-4).

John Fletcher's "Drinking Song" takes a different approach to the carpe diem theme. While Frost largely relies on the personification of age and the somewhat whimsical imagery of children and chiming church bells, Fletcher employs a merry, caution-to-the-wind tone supported by a quick, almost punchy rhyme scheme. "Best, while you have it, use your breath; / There is no drinking after death" (lines 3-4).

While both poems effectively inspire one to "seize the day," Frost's poem strikes as the more sincere and thus the more effective of the two. All the pleasures of boozing and brawling aside, Fletcher's poem fails to incite the reader to consider anything deeper than the bottom of his pint glass, while Frost's poem -- almost nostalgic in tone -- incites the reader to consider both the past he has lost, the present he is in, and the future he beholds, which is the ultimate purpose of a carpe diem poem.

Essay 2.1: Final Draft

The term "carpe diem," meaning "seize the day" in Italian, encourages a person to make the most of his time while he has it.

Stuck Writing Your "Carpe Diem" by Robert Frost Personification Of" Journal?

View All Our Example Carpe Diem" by Robert Frost Personification of Journal

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

A carpe diem poem typically emphasizes the elusive or fleeting nature of time, with a particular focus on the passing of youth. In Robert Frost's "Carpe Diem," he personifies Age and places him on a road watching two children pass. Age knows not where the children are headed, but wishes them happiness regardless as those "With happiness should have it. / And yet not know that they have it" (lines 17-18). The passing of time and the innocence of youth is further emphasized by the chiming of church bells and the setting of "twilight" (lines 2-4). Even as youth passes, so time marches on.

John Fletcher's "Drinking Song" takes a different approach to the carpe diem theme. While Frost largely relies on the personification of age and the somewhat whimsical imagery of children and chiming church bells, Fletcher employs a merry, caution-to-the-wind tone supported by a quick, punchy rhyme scheme. "Best, while you have it, use your breath; / There is no drinking after death" (lines 3-4).

While both poems effectively inspire one to "seize the day," Frost's poem strikes as the more sincere and thus the more effective of the two. All the pleasures of boozing and brawling aside, Fletcher's poem fails to incite the reader to consider anything deeper than the bottom of his pint glass, while Frost's poem -- almost nostalgic in tone -- incites the reader to consider the past he has lost, the present air he breathes, and the future he beholds, which is the ultimate purpose of a carpe diem poem.

Works.....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Carpe Diem By Robert Frost Personification Of" (2011, February 21) Retrieved May 3, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/carpe-diem-robert-frost-personification-121236

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Carpe Diem By Robert Frost Personification Of" 21 February 2011. Web.3 May. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/carpe-diem-robert-frost-personification-121236>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Carpe Diem By Robert Frost Personification Of", 21 February 2011, Accessed.3 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/carpe-diem-robert-frost-personification-121236
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example