Question

Read the excerpt below and answer the question. Now let us sport us while we may; And now, like am’rous birds of prey, Rather at once our time devour, Than languish in his slow-chapp’d power. (“To His Coy Mistress”; lines 37-40) Which phrases contribute to the formation of a carpe diem perspective within the excerpt? Select all that apply. A “let us sport us while we may” B “like am'rous birds of prey” C “at once our time devour” D “languish in this slow-chapp’d power”

Answer 1

In my opinion, the phrases that contribute to the carpe diem perspective are: A “let us sport us while we may” and C “at once our time devour”. Carpe diem means "Seize the day". As a philosophy, it argues that we should make the most of this moment, right here, right now, as we can't do much about the future. Death and misery are going to happen anyway, so why trouble ourselves with them now? This is exactly what the A phrase says, whereas the C phrase says something similar: let's enjoy as much as we can.