To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time

Robert Herrick's To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time is a written declaration to the youth of the world. The poem's overall purpose seems to be to get people, particularly the young, to think about their lives and take advantage of the possibilities offered. It may be a little cliche, but the idea of living life to the fullest because you never know what day will be your last, comes to mind. This is evident by the very first line which states, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may". Reading between the lines one could interpret this as saying while you have the time to do the things offered by life, do them, because everyone and everything must eventually come to an end.

The very next line, "Old time is still a-flying", seems not like a warning, but more like a notice to its audience. Its purpose is to let you know that regardless of if you decide to "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may" time is still going on as it always has and will. The third stanza talks of man when he is young and old and shows the inevitable of human life. It then goes on to encourage the young to pursue happiness while they still can or be old and lonely in the last stanza. The poem contains some of the many wisdoms we hear our grandparents and parents talk about everyday. To me it is very direct yet doesn't come out and plainly say have fun, live life, and die, which provides its appeal.