As one plays chess there are various strategies one can take; offensive, defensive or just plain suicide are all valid, yet different ways one can go about playing the game. Parallel is the way an author can take it upon oneself to write a romantic piece. "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" by Christopher Marlowe and "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepard" by Sir Walter Raleigh are two very different perspectives on the topic of love; however, both share various writing techniques.

In the game of chess a player may choose a defensive strategy. Defensive strategies in chess often revolve around protecting ones self instead of going full out into the game whole-heartedly. Little risk is involved with a defensive strategy in chess. Marlowe appears to take a defensive strategy so to speak when writing "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love." As one looks through the lines, it...