英文诗歌鉴赏

The commentary of The Passionate Shepherd to His Love

This term, we took the English Poem course, in which Mr. Luo guided us fling in the poem world to appreciate the beauty of poems. In all of the poems we have learnt, I appreciate The Passionate Shepherd to His Love most. Yet I really don’t know how to appreciate a poem. Indeed, I haven’t got to the level to appreciate poems. So, I just write my own understanding to this beautiful poem.

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love, was written by Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593○)who was an English dramatist and poet，translator of the Elizabethan area, born in Canterbury，England, died in Deptford, England. Marlowe was the foremost Elizabethan tragedian until his mysterious early death. Marlowe greatly influenced William Shakespeare, who was born in the same year as Marlowe and who rose to become the eminent Elizabethan playwright after Marlowe’s death. Marlowe’s plays are known for the use of blank verse, and their overreaching protagonists. Marlowe was the first great English Dramatist. He brought to the English stage a new concept of tragedy, one in which the drama centers around the struggles of a man overwhelmed by his passions and ambitions.

○2This short poem is considered to be one of the most beautiful lyrics in English literature. It derives from the pastoral tradition, in which the shepherd enjoys an ideal country life, cherishing a pastoral and pure affection for his love. Strong emotion is conveyed through the beauty of nature where lovers are not disturbed by worldly concern.

The first time I read the poem, I just thought it was too directly for the shepherd to express his love to the girl he loved. For me, if I were the girl, I would not accept the shepherd’s love because his love was so intensely that I don’t know how to respond his love. But the second I read it carefully, almost word by word. I was deeply moved by the shepherd’s real and pure love. In the world he created for himself and his love, the girl lived an ease life like a princess. He showed a picture on what he would promise if she accepts to be his love. There was a heavenly like scene in the picture, he imagined them sitting upon the rocks, watching the other busy shepherd who had to work hard, and they relaxed themselves by listening to the birds' singing, and seeing the river falls. The shepherd also ensured her that he is willing to do whatever it takes to please her. He was so infatuated with the girl that I am a little jealous of her. The girl was so lucky to be loved by such a infatuated and romantic man.

The structure of the poem is very clear. The poetry started out with a direct initiation. The speaker showed his purpose clearly, which is asking the woman he admired to be his lover. The following stanza showed a picture on what he would promise if she accepts to be his love. Then he drew different scenes when they were together. The shepherd also ensured her that he is willing to do whatever it takes to please her. This could be seen from the line 9~18. He made promises on difficult mission such as making bed of roses, thousand fragrant posies, and leaves of myrtle, coral clasps and amber studs…ext. From line 19, it responded to the idea of the first stanza that is to persuade the woman to be his love and to live with him. The repeating sentences "come live with me and be my love," may work as the function of emphasizing, and expression of eagerness.

The style and writing type of the poem is very good. This poem is a typical pastoral, that is, a type of poem that deals in an idealized way with shepherds and rustic life. It sings