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Title of the Poem
The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd
poet
Sir Walter Raleigh
Time Period
Renaissance/Elizabethan Era (1552–1618)
When was it Written?
The poem was written around 1596.
When was it Published?
It was published after Raleigh's death in 1600.
Type of Poem
It is a lyric poem that replies and parodies another poem.
Response to Which Poem?
It responds to Marlowe’s poem 'The Passionate Shepherd to His Love'.
Structure
The poem has six quatrains, each containing four lines.
Rhyme Scheme
The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB, which means each pair of lines rhymes.
Rhyme Scheme
The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB, which means each pair of lines rhymes.
main themes
realism vs idealims, the shortness of beauty and skepticism about love
tone
he tone of the poem is skeptical, down-to-earth, and ironic.
imagery used
Imagery includes fading flowers and winter, representing the idea of aging and decay.
contrast in the poem
Each part of the poem contrasts the shepherd’s dreamy claims with harsh realities.
irony in the poem
The nymph’s views lessen the shepherd’s hopeful ideas about love.
