Carpe Diem is a Latin phrase originating from the Roman poet, Horace, that literally translates as “seize the day” In essence, it is a directive to live life to its fullest and most optimistic, always looking to make the most of every moment and opportunity that comes. It is an exhortation to make the most of life and to never pass up a chance to make the present moment valuable and special. Carpe Diem is an attitude towards life that sees each day as a unique opportunity and encourages us to approach each moment with enthusiasm and joy.
The message of Carpe Diem has been an inspiration for many of the great works of literature, as many authors have sought to capture and express the power of the idea. Here are five of the best examples:
1. Robert Herrick’s “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time”: Released in 1648, this poem by Herrick is one of the earliest and most famous examples of the Carpe Diem attitude. It is a preachy, yet lyrical reminder to the young women in his life to make the most of their youth, to “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.”
2. Andrew Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress”: Written in 1650, this poem by Marvell is another famous example of the Carpe Diem attitude. In it, Marvell urges his lover to take advantage of the moment, to “Come live with me and be my love, / And we will all the pleasures prove.”
3. “Ulysses” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson: Written in 1833, this famous poem by Tennyson is a direct call to action to the titular character to “come, my friends, / 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.” Tennyson’s poem captures the essence of Carpe Diem by urging a reluctant Ulysses to take a chance on something new and unknown.
4. “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley: Written in 1818, this poem by Shelley is a reminder of the fleeting nature of life, and how quickly things can change. In it, Shelley warns us, “Nothing beside remains. Round the decay / Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare / The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
5. “To an Athlete Dying Young” by A. E. Housman: Written in 1896, this famous poem by Housman captures the idea of Carpe Diem in its tribute to an athlete who died in his prime, reminding us that life is short and that things can change quickly. Housman expresses this idea with the lines “Smart lad, to slip betimes away / From fields where glory does not stay”.
These five examples are just a few of the great works of literature that have been inspired by the idea of Carpe Diem. They serve as a reminder of how powerful and inspirational the attitude can be, and how important it is to make the most of every day.