when writing an essay on this, is it ok to fill in the blanks with my own ideas?
You should probably state that there is no definitive conclusion from the poet, but that you believe ... etc., etc.
Thinking for yourself is always a good option, as long as you can back your conclusions up with details from the text, whether it be prose or poetry.
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Come live with me and be my love
and we will all the pleasures prove
that valleys, groves, hills, and fields
woods or steepy mountain yields
and we will sit upon the rocks
seeing the shepherds feed their flocks
by shallow rivers to whose falls
melodious birds sing madrigals
and i will make thee beds of roses
and a thousand fragrant posies
a cap of flower, and a kirtle
embroidered all with leaves of myrtle
a gown made of the finest wool
which from our pretty lambs we pull
fair lined slippers for the cold
with buckles of the purest gold
a belt of straw and ivy buds
with coral clasps and amber studs
and if these pleasures may thee move
come live with me and be my love
the shepherds swains shall dance and sing
for thy delight each May morning
if these delights thy mind may move
then live with me and be my love.
What is the plot of this poem?
There is no climax, or is there?
The plot is in the first line.
Then he gives her all the reasons why she should do this.
Does the poem have the answer to his question? That would be the climax.
There is no answer. That's all there is. See why I'm confused?
There is not always an answer. Sometimes it's up to us, the readers, to draw our own conclusions. Do you think the shepherd has been convincing? Do you think he has won his love?
There are short stories, too, that have everything in the plot except a conclusion -- for example, "The Lady or the Tiger" http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/LadyTige.shtml
Hmmm! Imagine! What do you think?!
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Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. It always helps to know the title and the poet! "Thje Passionalte Shepherd To His Love" was written by Christopher Marlowe, a contemporary and competitor of William Shalespeare. It's interesting to note that Christopher Sousa also wrote a similar poem, beginning with the same first line.
In addition to the plot (story line) it's helpful to know something about the poet, the era and to analyze: dictiion, meter, rhyme, tone, word order, even punctuation or lack thereof!
When writing an essay on this poem, it is absolutely okay to fill in the blanks with your own ideas. In fact, it is encouraged to think for yourself and form your own conclusions. However, it is important to support your ideas with details from the text. In the case of "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" by Christopher Marlowe, the plot of the poem can be seen in the first line where the shepherd invites his love to come and live with him. He then proceeds to list all the pleasures and luxuries they would enjoy together.
Regarding the question of whether the poem has an answer or climax, it is important to note that not all poems provide definitive answers. Sometimes it is up to the readers to draw their own conclusions. In this case, the poem does not explicitly provide an answer to the shepherd's question. It is left open-ended, leaving room for interpretation and personal reflection.
As you mentioned, there are other works, such as the short story "The Lady or the Tiger" by Frank R. Stockton, which also leave the conclusion up to the readers. This allows for a more engaging and thought-provoking reading experience.
In addition to analyzing the plot, it is helpful to consider various literary elements such as the poet's background, the historical context in which the poem was written, the use of diction, meter, rhyme, tone, word order, and even punctuation. These elements can provide deeper insights into the poem and enhance your analysis.
Overall, when writing an essay on this poem, feel free to fill in the blanks with your own ideas while staying grounded in the text and supporting your conclusions with evidence.