In the poem "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time," the speaker thinks that youth is better than old age. What is his reasoning? What age do you...

The speaker believes that youth is preferable to age for a number of reasons:

1. Life is short, and we have the most capacity to experience its joys when we are young.  "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, / Old Time is still a-flying" (1-2).  We have limited time and need to make the most of it when we're able.

2. Once we begin to approach middle age, time seems to go more quickly.  In...

The speaker believes that youth is preferable to age for a number of reasons:

1. Life is short, and we have the most capacity to experience its joys when we are young.  "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, / Old Time is still a-flying" (1-2).  We have limited time and need to make the most of it when we're able.

2. Once we begin to approach middle age, time seems to go more quickly.  In Herrick's metaphor, the higher the sun gets, the "nearer he's to setting" (8).

3. He says that "blood is warmer" in our youth (10).  In other words, we are more passionate when we are young.  This is a good thing.

4. Once we lose our beauty, "we may forever tarry" (i.e. no one will want us), and beauty is associated with youth as well.  

The speaker seems to think of a relatively youthful age as one's prime, perhaps the early 20s.  However, many would agree that there is more to one's prime than simply beauty and passion; I suppose it all depends on how one defines the best part of one's life.  This age would be one's prime.