<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>This paper interprets the “green” poetry of Andrew Marvell (1621-1678). It discusses the main features of the Renaissance pastoral, especially the standard elements of the genre and its ethical aspects. Methodologically, it combines ecocritical reading with the philosophical concepts of harmony, based on Pythagorean harmonic lore. It shows the paradoxes of Marvell’s treatment of the pastoral, especially the dramatic contrast between the meditative and comforting aspect of the pastoral genre and the impossibility of reconciling the harmonious ethos of the natural world with the plagues of human love and its finality.</p></abstract>

This paper interprets the “green” poetry of Andrew Marvell (1621-1678). It discusses the main features of the Renaissance pastoral, especially the standard elements of the genre and its ethical aspects. Methodologically, it combines ecocritical reading with the philosophical concepts of harmony, based on Pythagorean harmonic lore. It shows the paradoxes of Marvell’s treatment of the pastoral, especially the dramatic contrast between the meditative and comforting aspect of the pastoral genre and the impossibility of reconciling the harmonious ethos of the natural world with the plagues of human love and its finality.

Marvell’s Green Thought(s): The Paradoxes of Marvell’s Nature Poetry

Prague Journal of English Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

{"article-title":"Marvell\u2019s Green Thought(s): The Paradoxes of Marvell\u2019s Nature Poetry"}

This paper interprets the “green” poetry of Andrew Marvell (1621-1678). It discusses the main features of the Renaissance pastoral, especially the standard...

Marvell’s Green Thought(s): The Paradoxes of Marvell’s Nature Poetry

Published Online: Sep 06, 2018

Page range: 9 - 25

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/pjes-2018-0001

Keywords
Renaissance English literature, Andrew Marvell, metaphysical poetry, garden poetry, ecocriticism

© 2018 Tomáš Jajtner, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Marvell’s Green Thought(s): The Paradoxes of Marvell’s Nature Poetry

Published Online: Sep 06, 2018

Page range: 9 - 25

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/pjes-2018-0001

KeywordsRenaissance English literature, Andrew Marvell, metaphysical poetry, garden poetry, ecocriticism

© 2018 Tomáš Jajtner, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
Renaissance English literature, Andrew Marvell, metaphysical poetry, garden poetry, ecocriticism