Andrew Marvell: Poems Lesson Plan

Aside from its coverage of distinctly political topics, what makes "An Horatian Ode Upon Cromwell's Return from Ireland" a "political" poem? What does it mean for a poem to be political?

Students' responses will vary depending on their perception of Andrew Marvell's politics, as well as their the politics of his time. Some students, for example, may interpret the end of the poem as a warning to Cromwell from a disgruntled Marvell. According to this line of thinking, the "Ode" may contain subtly hidden political content that was hidden precisely because it was critical of Cromwell. Other students may disagree, however. The teacher, for their part, may also want to let...