Question

Describe the counterpoints that Raleigh'’s Nymph makes in his poem "“The Nymph’'s Reply to the Shepherd." Analyze and explain, in your own words, what idea or concept Raleigh is communicating to the reader. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Answer 1

In "The Nymph’'s Reply to the Shepherd." Sir Walter Raleigh asserts the claim, that all things fade in time, including love. He makes clear that there are also consequences for every action. He makes many counterpoints throughout his poem in response to Christopher Marlowe. One of the first being that land will not always be as beautiful as portrayed in the primary poem, Marlowe paints a graphic picture when he writes that "There will we sit upon the rocks/And see the shepherds feed their flocks,/by shallow rivers, to whose falls /Melodious birds sing madrigals. " and in the response we the realistic position Raleigh takes by saying "But Time drives flocks from field to fold;/When rivers rage and rocks grow cold;/And Philomel becometh dumb;/The rest complains of cares to come." They both follow the same structure and format throughout as Raleigh responds with a counterpoint each stanza for each of Marlowe's stanzas, making his opinion and ideas extremely clear. Another counterpoint made is when Marlowe highlights the frivolous dramatic features of the bed that he will make "There will I make the beds of roses/And a thousand fragrant posies" convincing that he will put in the work needed to woo his lover, however, Raleigh responds with the clear point that "The flowers do fade and wanton fields/To wayward Winter reckoning yields:/A honey tongue, a heart of gall,/Is fancy's spring, but sorrow's fall." This is addressing the idea that this love is clearly temporary as the flowers and fields are.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Have in mind for your 250 word answer the following subjects: The Nymph does not believe in the sheperds love because she thinks his love is too fanciful. In every part we see the difference between the winter and the harsh way to be from the nymph and the springtime and love from the shepherd. we can contrast the skeptical point of view of the nimph with the warm offers of the shepherd. The main idea of this poem is that love and nature are beautiful but don't last forever.