The Passionate Shepherd to His Love
Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove,
That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,
Woods, or steep mountain yields.And we will sit upon the rocks,
Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,
By shallow rivers to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals.And I will make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant posies,
A cap of flowers, and a kirtle
Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;A gown made of the finest wool
Which from our pretty lambs we pull;
Fair lined slippers for the cold,
With buckles of the purest gold;A belt of straw and ivy buds,
With coral clasps and amber studs:
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me, and be my love.The shepherds’ swains shall dance and sing
For thy delight each May‑morning:
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me, and be my love.
Summary of The Passionate Shepherd to His Love
- An Invitation to Paradise: Christopher Marlowe’s “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” is a classic pastoral poem first published in 1599. It is a heartfelt invitation from a shepherd to his beloved, promising a life of idyllic pleasure and simple beauty immersed in nature. The poem is a persuasive argument that seeks to entice the beloved to leave her current life and embrace a romantic existence with him.
- A Celebration of Love and Nature: The poem is not only about romantic love but also about the natural world. The shepherd describes a life in harmony with nature, promising his beloved beautiful surroundings, comfort, and freedom from the complexities of society. He presents a vision of perfect contentment achieved through a life of leisure and pleasure in the countryside.
- Understanding the Pastoral Tradition: “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” exemplifies the pastoral tradition in poetry. This genre often idealizes rural life and contrasts it with the perceived corruption and artificiality of city life. Understanding this context helps appreciate the poem’s thematic concerns and the shepherd’s persuasive appeal.
Analysis of Literary Devices in “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”
Marlowe masterfully employs a range of literary devices to create a persuasive and evocatively beautiful poem. These devices contribute to the poem’s overall effect and enhance its meaning.
- Enjambment: Marlowe frequently uses enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause. This creates a flowing rhythm and mimics the natural cadence of speech. Consider these lines:
By shallow rivers to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals.The sentence continues seamlessly, producing a sense of fluidity and drawing the reader forward.
- Assonance and Consonance: The poem is rich in both assonance—repetition of vowel sounds—and consonance—repetition of consonant sounds. These sound devices contribute to the poem’s musicality and create a pleasing auditory experience. For example, the repetition of the “s” sound in “Shepherds’ swains shall dance and sing” creates a soft, lyrical effect.
- Symbolism: Several elements in the poem carry symbolic weight. Roses, for instance, are a traditional symbol of love and beauty. The natural setting itself symbolizes peace, tranquility, and a return to a simpler way of life. The shepherd’s offerings—clothing, shelter, and entertainment—symbolize his devotion and willingness to provide for his beloved.
- Imagery: The poem is overflowing with vivid imagery that appeals to the senses. Marlowe uses descriptive language to paint a picture of the idyllic countryside and the luxurious life he promises his beloved. For example, “A gown made of the finest wool” and “A belt of straw and ivy buds” create strong visual images in the reader’s mind.
- Metaphor: While not overtly present, the entire poem functions as an extended metaphor for the power of love and the allure of a natural, carefree existence. The shepherd’s offerings are not merely material possessions but represent his affection and commitment.
- Hyperbole: Marlowe uses hyperbole, or exaggeration, to emphasize the shepherd’s devotion and the abundance of pleasure he promises. The lines “And I will make thee beds of roses / And a thousand fragrant posies” are a clear example. This exaggeration underscores the intensity of his feelings and the extravagant life he envisions for them.
Analysis of Poetic Devices in “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”
Beyond literary devices, the poem utilizes various poetic techniques to achieve its artistic effect.
- Stanza Structure: The poem consists of twelve quatrains, each a four‑line stanza. This consistent structure provides a sense of order and balance.
- Quatrain and Rhyme Scheme: The quatrain form is closely linked to the poem’s ABAB rhyme scheme. This creates a musical and predictable rhythm that contributes to the poem’s overall appeal.
- Repetition: The repetition of the line “Come live with me, and be my love” acts as a refrain, reinforcing the shepherd’s invitation and emphasizing his desire. This repetition also creates a sense of lyrical flow and musicality.
- Iambic Tetrameter: The poem predominantly follows iambic tetrameter, meaning each line consists of four iambs—an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This metrical pattern contributes to the poem’s rhythm and flow. For instance, the refrain “Come live with me, and be my love” exemplifies this meter.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines from “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” can be used to express deep affection and romantic longing.
Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove,
That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,
Woods, or steep mountain yields.
These lines beautifully encapsulate the poem’s central theme of embracing a life of love, beauty, and harmony with nature.