In the poem "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell, is the argument valid? Why or why not?

In "To His Coy Mistress," Andrew Marvell is essentially arguing that one should enjoy one's youth and vitality while one can (or, more specifically, one should enjoy a romantic/ physical relationship while one is young) because, sooner or later, everyone will die. It's an enduring statement, to be sure, and it's one of the reasons this poem has become one of the most famous in the English language. The question remains, though: is this message...

In "To His Coy Mistress," Andrew Marvell is essentially arguing that one should enjoy one's youth and vitality while one can (or, more specifically, one should enjoy a romantic/ physical relationship while one is young) because, sooner or later, everyone will die. It's an enduring statement, to be sure, and it's one of the reasons this poem has become one of the most famous in the English language. The question remains, though: is this message valid?

The answer is complicated. On the one hand, Marvell has a good point: life does not last forever, and it's important to enjoy it before it slips away and all pleasures are gone forever. Along the same lines, Marvell insightfully illustrates the complicated nature of human mortality, as he skillfully explores how one can enjoy life with the knowledge that everything must come to an end. On the other hand, Marvell's definition of living a full life seems very narrow indeed. In fact, the speaker in the poem seems to suggest that only by indulging in a physical, romantic relationship with a lover can one truly live life well. While relationships are undoubtedly important in life, there are many other important pursuits to consider, such as education, a satisfying and fulfilling occupation, and one's community. Marvell's speaker completely misses all of these, as his narrow view of the world seems entirely focused on his need for immediate, physical satisfaction. 

In short, Marvell's argument could be valid or invalid, depending on how you look at it. For my part, I tend to believe the narrowness of the poem's scope leaves much to be desired and makes its message less compelling. That said, you'll have to read and consider the poem for yourself to determine whether you think it's pointed in the right direction.