How Time Makes It Impossible for the Nymph to be in Love with the Shepherd in "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd” Toni-Ann Nelson College

Sir Walter Raleigh was an English Aristocrat and poet, who wrote a poem called “The Nymphs Reply to the Shepherd”. In that poem written in 1596, the nymph rejects the shepherd’s offer to become his love and explains why she cannot accept his offer. Raleigh illustrates how time changes everything the shepherd offered her and makes it impossible for her to become his love. The poet does this by using metaphor of pastoral life, imagery of the seasons, contrast of expensive apparels (manmade) and nature (non-manmade), as well as the nymph realization that both her youthful days and love are not eternal.

One way in which Raleigh depicts how time changes everything and makes their love impossible is through a metaphor of pastoral life. For instance, when the shepherd offered to spend time with her upon the rocks and watch sheep’s being fed, the nymph stated that, “time drives the flocks from field to fold” (5). Even though the shepherd offer is romantic, the nymph knows that the flocks are not always in the field. Moreover, as times passes by and sunset approaches, the flocks leave the field and go back to the barn for protection. The nymph points out that even that romantic gesture will not last because of the influence of time....