Question

her reply
sir walter raleigh
a reply to christopher marlowe’s “the passionate shepherd to his love”.
if all the world and love were young,
and truth in every shepherd’s tongue,
these pretty pleasures might me move
to live with thee and be thy love.

but time drives flocks from field to fold;⁵
when rivers rage and rocks grow cold;
and philomel becometh dumb;
the rest complains of cares to come.

the flowers do fade, and wanton fields
to wayward winter reckoning yields;¹⁰
a honey tongue, a heart of gall,
is fancy’s spring, but sorrow’s fall.

thy gowns, thy shoes, thy beds of roses,
thy cap, thy kirtle, and thy posies,
soon break, soon wither - soon forgotten;¹⁵

what is the theme of this poem?
a life is better when you are old.
b the shepherd is nice to his love.
c life is better when you are young.
d people often lie to get what they want.

Explanation:

The poem is a realistic response to idealized pastoral love. It contrasts the fleeting, idealized joys of youth (and the shepherd's promises) with the inevitable decay, hardship, and sorrow that come with time. The speaker rejects the shepherd's proposal because she recognizes that youthful pleasures fade, and life's difficulties lie ahead, framing youth as the only window for such idealized happiness.

Answer:

C. Life is better when you are young.