To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time,” by Robert Herrick

I found the poem “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time,” by Robert Herrick to be intriguing. Although written to unmarried people, specifically virgins, today it can be seen as a message and a warning that time goes by quickly so you should make the most of opportunities. Each stanza has separate themes of flowers, sun, age, and marriage respectively; together the stanzas relate the theme of time passing.
The first stanza states that “…this same flower that smiles today / Tomorrow will be dying” which means that one can be young and beautiful but before you know it will be old and tired. I find that the metaphor of flowers as compared to the young and virgins is quite appropriate as we consider those who have lost their virginity to be “deflowered.” It is a warning to those “flowers” that they must make the most of their youth.
The second stanza speaks of the rising and setting of the “glorious lamp of heaven, the sun.” If one looks at the time frame that Herrick was alive (1591-1674), a time where faith and religion ruled, it is easy to see why he incorporates the word “heaven.” A religious affiliation is more than likely related to why he chose to speak to unmarried virgins in his poem. It is at this point in the poem that I believe one should realize his probable affiliation and translate it into a message for all to hear instead of only unmarried virgins. As stated I believe the message is to make the most of opportunities instead of sitting back and waiting for them to come to you.
The third stanza again goes with the theme of going after your goals. The younger you are the more energy and drive you have; if you wait you will lose that drive as you age. The line “But being spent, the worse, and worst” emphasizes that it will keep getting worse and harder as time passes.
The fourth stanza ends the poem with the advice that it was hinting at through each stanza. The specific advice he mentions is to not waste time but rather get married, but as I have mentioned it could be taken as advice to take advantage of opportunities.