In the poem "To His Coy Mistress," Andrew Marvell writes about having lustful desires to sleep with his mistress. He tries to persuade her to seize the day and give in to her desires. He is almost manipulative in convincing her that her virginity is not important. After reading this poem, people may question society's ethical values about relationships and premarital sex. Is it more important to give in to your desires and seize the day than to stick with your moral beliefs and values? Marvell suggests through this poem that it is okay to compromise your values and principles. People should live his/her life to the fullest while he/she is young and has the opportunity.
In the poem, Marvell seems to think that it is not the time for the lady to be coy about her having sex with him. He says, "Had we but world enough, and time, / This coyness, lady, were no crime" (1-2). He thinks that it would be okay for the lady to act shy and reserved about the situation if they were going to live forever. But the reality is that they are growing old and will die one day. He hears "Time's winged chariot hurrying near" (22). He knows that life is short and death is sneaking up on them. If they had all the time in the world, he would not mind going through a long dreamy courtship with her. He knows that a long courtship would make her happy and he thinks she deserves it. He tells her, "For, lady, you deserve this state,/ Nor would I love a lower rate" (19-20). He really feels that she deserves what she dreams of, and he would like to give her what she wants. Although he knows what she wants, he doesn"t think that there is time for it. .
Marvell suggests that the lady will not be young for long and implies that if she does not have sex with him, she might die a virgin. If she does die a virgin, "then worms shall try/ That long preserved virginity, /And your quaint honor turn to dust, /And into ashes all my lust" (850).