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Essay / The "Ideal" in Campion and Marlowe
Thomas Campion and Christopher Marlowe explored the concept of the "ideal" in "A Man of Life Standing" and "Come Live with Me and Be My Love", respectively . Campion further explores the idea that a man can be more satisfied in life if he upholds strong morality. In “Come Live with me, and be my Love,” Marlowe poses a contradictory point of view, expressing the idea that the “ideal” can be achieved through the acquisition and appreciation of material wealth. Despite their contrasting viewpoints, both poems discuss the similar idea that the pursuit of contentment is the best way for a person to live their life and that "the ideal" is the fundamental human goal. Say no to plagiarism. Get Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay It is a common misconception that by achieving wealth and physical success, one will become content and be able to live a contented life . Thomas Campion’s “A Man of Life Upright” challenges this idea. His poem describes the concept that the “ideal” life is not achieved through material possessions but through strong morals. The use of connotation expresses this feeling: "whose innocent heart is free" expresses the peace that respect for wholesome values will bring to life, while "dishonest acts" has a heavy, negative connotation that helps express the burden that impurity can have. “A Man of Life Standing” addresses the concept of “ideal” by considering it as a state of being. Through emotive language that almost shows an element of superiority, thus "disdaining all worries", the idea appears that human purity is only obtained by perfecting oneself as a person, in order to achieve what we call it “moral altitude”. This configuration reflects Campion's notion that a person's contentment with life does not necessarily depend on the world in which that person lives, but rather on the person themselves: "This man needs neither tricks nor armor. » It follows then that, in this perception of the "ideal", satisfaction cannot be obtained by collecting objects, but gained by idealizing one's own values. Christopher Marlowe depicts a concept that differs greatly from that of “A Man of Upright Life”. His poem “Come Live with Me and Be My Love” expresses the idea that the acquisition and appreciation of tangible assets will satisfy the desire for the “ideal.” In his poem, Marlowe attempts to attract a woman by offering her his idea of the best possible life; one filled with “dresses,” “slippers,” and “buckles.” He used enumeration to create a cumulative effect as the poem progresses, evoking "valleys, groves, hills and fields." Through this tactic, Marlowe argued that the lists of things he promises his beloved will make them both eternally happy. “And we will prove all the pleasures” is a clear example of this sentiment. “Pleasures” refer to the satisfaction found once the “ideal” is discovered. “Prove” shows that Marlowe believes that these pleasures are palpable physical possessions. In his view, the “ideal” does not come from a person, but from the circumstances in which people find themselves. Many people believe that wealth will bring them happiness. Marlowe does not dispute this belief, but adds that only by enjoying one's good fortune will one be truly satisfied. Although the contrast between the perceptions of these two poets is clear, they also have a distinct parallel. Campion and Marlowe would not deny that a life spent striving to achieve the “ideal” is a successful and fulfilling life. The definition of what is.