A Comparison And Contrast Of Love In Christopher Marlowe's "The Passionate Shepherd To His Love" And C. Day Lewis's "Song"

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his love while promising her garlands and wool for weaving. Many
material goods are offered by the speaker to the woman he loves in hopes of
receiving her love in return. He also utilizes the power of speech to attempt
to gain the will of his love. In contrast, the poem "Song" is set in what is
indicative of a twentieth century depression, with an urban backdrop that is
characteristically unromantic. The speaker "handle(s) dainties on the docks"
(5) , showing that his work likely consists of moving crates as a dock worker.
He extends his affection through the emphasis of his love and how it has endured
and survived all hardships. He uses the truth of his poor and difficult
situation as a tool to entice his love.
In the "Passionate Shepherd", the speaker offers his lover a multitude
of delights to persuade her emotions in his favor. At the very beginning of the
poem he states his intention that "we will all the pleasures prove" (2) ,
creating a basis upon which all his ...

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are all fabricated from nature, such as "A cap of flowers, and a
kirtle / Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle" (11-12) . Due to the fact that
all substances of nature eventually die, this could imply that as the gifts will
die so will his love for her. In comparison to the offering of the speaker in
"Song", the shepherd appears to be insincere.
The speaker in "Song" does not try to impress his love with grandeur.
He does not proclaim the gifts he can give her but emphasizes that his love is
displayed through the hardships he endures. The speaker in this poem simply
offers his honesty. Like the speaker in "The Passionate Shepherd," this speaker
"will all the pleasures prove" (2) . ...

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