Comments on “The Garden”
by Chelsea Miller
return to The Garden
return to Andrew Marvell
“How far these beauties hers exceed!” Within this particular context, Marvell seems to be stating that the trees are more beautiful than a lover’s woman. One possibility is that since trees live longer in comparison to humans, it in some ways is more beautiful because it will be around longer than she will.
“Yet it creates, transcending these,/Far other worlds and other seas,” This statement within this particular stanza is no doubt is talking about how the mind is a superior construct since it can create new worlds. This statement seems to be praising the virtues of creativity, which is important in many ventures in life.
“Such was that happy garden-state,/While man there walked without a mate:” This is quite possibly referencing not just any garden, but the Garden of Eden itself. The reason this could be true is because if “man” is supposed to be more akin to “mankind,” then the only time there was such a state was in the Garden of Eden before Eve was created from Adam.
“Two paradises ’twere in one/To live in paradise alone.” There are two paradises that are being referenced here, the first being in the Garden of Eden itself. The second point is stating how wonderful it is to be alone and without any people in such a place. If it is true that the garden in this stanza is similar to the Garden of Eden itself, Marvell seems to be stating that in some ways it was better before Eve. Without that interpretation, it is still clear that Marvell is praising the virtues of experiencing the beauty of nature alone.