The influence of the Elizabethan era was apparent in its society. This era was known to be the most splendid period of English literature. Queen Elizabeth I acted as the symbol of this great time in history. The strength in the economy, English politics, religion and its language produced inspiration for a vast amount of its people. Among the inspired were two acquainted poets, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Christopher Marlowe. This era had influenced these two people to be independent and daring and it showed up in their works, and lifestyle. The poems “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” by Christopher Marlowe and “The Nymphs Reply to the Shepherd” by Sir Walter Raleigh have been interpreted to be a letter written by a shepherd to his love and her response. However, my interpretation differs. I believe that the authors of these two poems were writing to each other and disguising their feelings with commonly used and accepted dialect, due to the fact that their love affair would not be socially accepted.
Within Marlowe’s poem, I feel he was using his words to express his desires and sexual passions that were directed towards Sir Walter Raleigh. I believe that social restrictions prevented him from fulfilling his wishes to be
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Because of this homosexuality was often questioned among men and actors (Hayden, 2000), and it has been speculated that Shakespeare might have been homosexual (Leist, 2003). Raleigh one of the elite and influential in his day. Although it was ignored, homosexuality was a part of Elizabethan life. Sir Walter Raleigh also knew the queen and it was professed that she had affection for him “Considering the Queens evident affection for him” (Batten, 2001).
In the Elizabethan time period there were no women in plays. These poems were the result of society’s limits and restrictions. Basically, what I feel he is saying is that society opposes homosexuality and deems it wrong. In one particular source states that Raleigh argues, “it is not society that taints sexual love, but that we are already tainted before we enter society”(unknown). They could be decadent and open in their lifestyles and not have to hide through their work to express each other’s love, but they are not which is why these two poems were written the way they were. However, Raleigh is much more realistic in that he realizes life just can’t be the way that Marlowe is describing. The poem by Raleigh indicates to the reader that this is a response to Marlowe’s poem, which is directly stated in the title. They were both highly regarded and influential men. It is said that he was a governor in Jersey sometime around 1600. The men were cast as men and the boys, before puberty, were cast as women. People try to sugarcoat everything to get what they want; they live in a false pretense.
Approximate Word count =
1025
Approximate Pages =
4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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