It was in Dead Poets Society that I have first encountered the words “Carpe diem.” In the movie, the main protagonist (Keating) explained that phrase Carpe Diem with this sentence: “Because we are food for works, lads. Because, believe it or not, each and every one of us in this room is one day going to stop breathing, turn cold and die (Dead Poet Society, 14:40- 14:53), that is why Keating further added, “Why I seize the day.” But the real question is what does it take in order for an individual to seize the day? In order to put a good definition on the words Carpe Diem various works from different authors share their respective vantage points on the challenge of seizing the day. The three poems are bound together
The poem, To the Virgins, to Make of Time (Gather Ye Rosebuds) by Robert Herrick shares the tale of a narrator who addresses a group of virgins. The narrator of the poem gave the virgins an advice to gather their Rosebuds as soon as they can because time waits for no one- “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying; (Herrick 1-2)”. During his drive home, the author observes his surrounding such as the drying flowers and the setting sun. In his opinion, he feels that youth is the best time in a person’s life and the succeeding years are not as enjoyable compared to youth. At the end of the poem, the narrator told the virgins to make good use of the time and get married. He wants them to realize that time is passing quickly and that if they do not make good use of their time they will soon lose their prime and lose their opportunity.
Why is this poem a good definitive piece to understand the concept of Carpe Diem? The narrator wants the virgins to make the most of what they have. The poem is focusing on making the most of one’s time. In addition to this, the narrator wants these people to understand that as time passes, people also change. No one remains constant. Also linked to the concept of seizing the day is the reality that people are mortals. No one is spared from death, in the poem, the narrator talks about the death of a flower and the sun setting these elements are representation that as people grow older they are also nearing death. But despite death lurking in the corner of everybody’s lives, it must not be a hindrance for people to keep enjoying life.
Song to Celia
Another similar piece that is linked to the concept of Carpe Diem is the poem Song to Celia (Drink to me only with thine eyes) written by Ben Jonson. The narrator of the poem is speaking to a woman (whom is presumed to be named Celia) to drink to him using only her eyes. He wants her to show in her eyes the word “Cheers” without lifting her glass. In the poem, it is not known whether Celia reciprocates the narrator’s feeling because during the past he sent her flowers but Celia only returned them. Despite her returning the flowers, these flowers never wilted. It can be inferred that Celia gave these flowers eternal life by breathing on them.
The main theme of the poem also circulates on immortality. When the narrator was speaking about Jove’s nectar and the wreath that continued to live not only symbolizes immortality but also the speaker’s hope that his relationship with Celia will still have a chance “Doth ask a drink divine; But might I of Jove’s nectar sup, I would not change for thine (Jonson 6-8)”.. The poem can be categorized as a mini love song wherein the speaker mentions that he does not need a drink only the cup that touched the lips of the woman he loves. In the eyes of the speaker, Celia is special that she has the ability to grant the flowers eternal life.
Despite not talking about death directly, it still touches on the unfortunate reality that things have to die. He sent the woman he loved wreath flowers because he firmly believes that Celia carries the power to grant it immortal life. The speaker is also fascinated with the divinity of things that it was impossible of him to speak about mortality and immorality separately.
What is the relation this specific poem to Carpe Diem, it wants the readers to realize that wooing a person you love is not an easy task but if you let the chance slip away you might regret it in the end. Despite the unclear feelings of Celia towards the narrator, it is observed that the narrator is still persistent in making Celia feel his love and intentions. He wants to keep trying and in the end believes that he has a shot with Celia. His feelings towards Celia do not change despite the fact that Celia did not accept the flowers he sent. In his eyes, this woman was like a goddess and her beauty is worth fighting for.
Go Lovely Rose
The third poem that carries the same context is Go Lovely Rose Edmund Wallers. Go Lovely Rose carries with it the theme Carpe Diem. The work by Wallers has a similar theme with first two mentioned poems. The rose mentioned in the first stanza of the poem is a symbolism of youth and beauty-Go, lovely Rose— “Tell her that wastes her time and me, That now she knows,”( Waller 1-3).The poem revolves around a conversation between a rose and the narrator. The use of a metaphor is found in the poem as the rose is linked to a lovely woman. In some of the lines, the speaker appears to be impatient and kept mentioning the words “Waste Time.” This suggests that the narrator is disturbed with the girl’s inability to make good use of her time and more importantly he is disturbed by the girl’s decision to delay important life events.
Upon analyzing the three relatively similar poems, there are common themes that bind together the three works. The narrators of the three poems talk about women and how they have the tendencies to delay their time. These women are then compared to roses. What makes this comparison effective is the fact that flowers have limited life spans. What the poems are trying to convey is that people needs to seize their time while they still or in the end they will lose the opportunity to live the life they truly want for themselves.
In the Dead Poet Society film the students were challenged to go against the rules that restrict them from living their lives to the fullest. The essence of Carpe Diem is not to live promiscuously but rather live a life worth remembering. In reality, we are the only persons allowed to dictate how our lives will be lived. The challenge of the three poems is for us to make good of our time. Let us not postpone the things that we can do today. If we take time for granted, then we miss out the good chances in our lives.
In conclusion, Carpe Diem is a mantra that people need to embody. It wants people to understand how important it is to live life to fullest and to not have any form of regrets in the end. Regrets are life worst enemy. As mentioned in the three poems, death is inevitable and no one is spared from it. Beauty has its limit. The poems focus on young women and the narrators kept reminding them that their beauty will soon fade and if they do not make good use of their time they will lose an integral chance in their lives.
It may be difficult to some to embrace the concept of Carpe Diem because everyone has their own unique tolerance towards taking risks and seizing life. The important lesson from the poems, however, is that it challenges people to develop an optimistic mindset. They want people to embody a positive outlook towards life in order for them to live life to the fullest.
Reference:
The Dead Poet Society. United States. 1989. Film
Herrick, R. To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time. England. Print
Jonson. B. Song To Celia.England. Print
Waller. E. Go Lovely Rose. England.Print
