'To The Memory Of My Beloved, The Author, Mr William Shakespeare, And What He Hath Left Us' by Ben Jonson
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To draw no envy, Shakespeare, on thy name
Am I thus ample to thy book and fame;
While I confess thy writings to be such
As neither Man nor Muse can praise too much.
'Tis true, and all men's suffrage. But these ways
Were not the paths I meant unto thy praise;
For silliest ignorance on these may light,
Which when it sounds at best but echoes right;
Or blind affection, which doth ne'er advance
The truth, but gropes, and urges all by chance;
Or crafty malice might pretend this praise,
And think to ruin where it seemed to raise.
These are as some infamous bawd or whore
Should praise a matron. What could hurt her more?
But thou art proof against them, and indeed
Above th' ill fortune of them, or the need.
I therefore will begin: Soul of the Age!
The applause, delight, the wonder of our stage!
My Shakespeare, rise; I will not lodge thee by
Chaucer, or Spenser, or bid Beaumont lie
A little further, to make thee a room:
Thou art a monument without a tomb,
And art alive still, while thy book doth live,
And we have wits to read, and praise to give.
That I not mix thee so, my brain excuses,
I mean with great but disproportioned Muses,
For if I thought my judgement were of years,
I should commit thee surely with thy peers,
And tell how far thou didst our Lyly outshine,
Or sporting Kyd, or Marlowe's mighty line.
And though thou hadst small Latin and less Greek,
From thence to honour thee I would not seek
For names; but call forth thundering Aeschylus,
Euripides, and Sophocles to us,
Pacuvius, Accius, him of Cordova dead,
To live again, to hear thy buskin tread,
And shake a stage; or, when thy socks were on,
Leave thee alone for the comparison
Of all that insolent Greece or haughty Rome
Sent forth, or since did from their ashes come.
Triumph, my Britain, thou hast one to show
To whom all scenes of Europe homage owe.
He was not of an age, but for all time!
And all the Muses still were in their prime
When, like Apollo, he came forth to warm
Our ears, or, like a Mercury, to charm!
Nature herself was proud of his designs,
And joyed to wear the dressing of his lines!
Which were so richly spun, and woven so fit,
As, since, she will vouchsafe no other wit.
The merry Greek, tart Aristophanes,
Neat Terence, witty Plautus, now not please;
But antiquated and deserted lie,
As they were not of Nature's family.
Yet must I not give Nature all; thy art,
My gentle Shakespeare, must enjoy a part.
For though the poet's matter nature be,
His art doth give the fashion; and that he
Who casts to write a living line must sweat
(Such as thine are) and strike the second heat
Upon the Muses' anvil; turn the same,
And himself with it, that he thinks to frame,
Or for the laurel he may gain a scorn;
For a good poet's made as well as born.
And such wert thou. Look how the father's face
Lives in his issue, even so the race
Of Shakespeare's mind and manners brightly shines
In his well turned and true-filed lines:
In each of which he seems to shake a lance,
As brandished at the eyes of ignorance.
Sweet swan of Avon! what a sight it were
To see thee in our waters yet appear,
And make those flights upon the banks of Thames,
That did so take Eliza and our James!
But stay, I see thee in the hemisphere
Advanced, and made a constellation there:
Shine forth, thou Star of Poets, and with rage,
Or influence, chide or cheer the drooping stage,
Which, since thy flight from hence, hath mourned like night,
And despairs day, but for thy volume's light.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
"To The Memory Of My Beloved, The Author, Mr William Shakespeare, And What He Hath Left Us" is a beautiful poem written by Ben Jonson in honor of his friend and fellow playwright, William Shakespeare. This masterpiece of a poem is a tribute to Shakespeare's talent and legacy, and it is still celebrated today as one of the finest examples of English literature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, structure, and imagery of the poem, and how they contribute to its overall meaning.
Summary
The poem is divided into two parts, each with a different focus. The first part, "To draw no envy, Shakespeare, on thy name," is a reflection on Shakespeare's skill as a writer and his influence on English literature. Jonson praises Shakespeare's ability to capture the human experience in his writing, and acknowledges that he has left a lasting legacy that will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.
The second part of the poem, "So, till the judgment that yourself arise," is a reflection on Shakespeare's death, and the impact it had on those who knew him. Jonson laments the loss of his friend and colleague, and reflects on the fact that, even in death, Shakespeare's legacy will continue to inspire and move people.
Throughout the poem, Jonson's language is rich and evocative, and his imagery is powerful and impactful. He uses a range of poetic techniques, including metaphors, similes, and personification, to create a vivid and moving tribute to Shakespeare.
Themes
One of the key themes of the poem is the power of literature to endure beyond the death of the author. Jonson acknowledges that Shakespeare's work will continue to be celebrated long after he is gone, and that his legacy will continue to inspire and move people. This theme is particularly relevant today, as Shakespeare's plays are still performed and studied around the world, more than 400 years after his death.
Another theme of the poem is the importance of friendship and community. Jonson's tribute to Shakespeare is not just a celebration of his talent, but also a reflection on the personal connection he shared with him. He acknowledges that Shakespeare was a friend and colleague, and that his death was deeply felt by those who knew him. This theme is particularly powerful in the second part of the poem, where Jonson reflects on his own grief and the sense of loss he feels at Shakespeare's passing.
Finally, the poem also explores the nature of writing and creativity. Jonson acknowledges that Shakespeare was a master of his craft, and that his writing captured the essence of the human experience in a way that was both timeless and universal. This theme is particularly evident in the first part of the poem, where Jonson reflects on Shakespeare's skill as a writer and the impact his work had on English literature as a whole.
Structure
The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a popular poetic form in English literature. The use of this form gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow, and helps to create a sense of unity and coherence between the two parts of the poem.
Each part of the poem consists of eight stanzas, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The use of this consistent structure helps to create a sense of balance and symmetry within the poem, and allows Jonson to develop his themes in a clear and focused way.
Within each stanza, Jonson uses a range of poetic techniques to create a sense of depth and complexity. He uses metaphors, similes, and personification to create vivid and powerful imagery, and his language is rich and evocative, with a strong sense of rhythm and musicality.
Imagery
One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Jonson uses a range of metaphors and similes to create a vivid and evocative picture of Shakespeare and his legacy.
For example, in the first part of the poem, Jonson describes Shakespeare as a "star of poets," a metaphor that suggests that he is a shining light in the firmament of English literature. He also compares him to the "swan of Avon," a metaphor that suggests that Shakespeare's writing is graceful, elegant, and beautiful.
In the second part of the poem, Jonson uses imagery to create a sense of loss and grief. He describes the "tears of the Muses" as they mourn the loss of their beloved poet, and he uses the metaphor of a "broken column" to describe the sense of loss and emptiness that he feels at Shakespeare's passing.
Throughout the poem, Jonson's imagery is powerful and evocative, and it helps to create a sense of depth and complexity that elevates the poem from a simple tribute to a work of art in its own right.
Conclusion
"To The Memory Of My Beloved, The Author, Mr William Shakespeare, And What He Hath Left Us" is a masterpiece of a poem that celebrates the talent and legacy of William Shakespeare. Through his use of language, imagery, and poetic technique, Ben Jonson creates a powerful and moving tribute to his friend and colleague, and explores themes of literature, friendship, and the nature of creativity. This poem is still celebrated today as one of the finest examples of English literature, and its enduring relevance and impact serves as a testament to the power of Shakespeare's writing and the enduring legacy that he has left us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To The Memory Of My Beloved, The Author, Mr William Shakespeare, And What He Hath Left Us is a classic poem written by Ben Jonson in honor of his dear friend and fellow playwright, William Shakespeare. This poem is a beautiful tribute to the life and work of one of the greatest writers in history, and it is a testament to the enduring legacy of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets.
In this analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs that Jonson uses in his poem, as well as the historical context in which it was written. We will also examine the language and structure of the poem, and how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.
Firstly, it is important to understand the relationship between Jonson and Shakespeare. Both men were prominent playwrights in the Elizabethan era, and they were known to be friendly rivals. Jonson was a contemporary of Shakespeare, and he was one of the few writers who could match Shakespeare's wit and skill with language. Despite their competitive relationship, Jonson had a deep respect and admiration for Shakespeare, and this is evident in his poem.
The poem begins with a powerful opening line: "To draw no envy, Shakespeare, on thy name." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Jonson acknowledges the greatness of Shakespeare's work while also recognizing the jealousy and envy that often accompanies success. Jonson goes on to describe Shakespeare as a "soul of the age," a phrase that captures the essence of Shakespeare's impact on the literary world.
Throughout the poem, Jonson uses a variety of metaphors and imagery to describe Shakespeare's work. He compares Shakespeare's plays to "a star," "a wonder," and "a monument." These metaphors convey the idea that Shakespeare's work is timeless and enduring, and that it will continue to shine brightly long after his death.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way that Jonson describes Shakespeare's influence on other writers. He writes, "He was not of an age, but for all time!" This line suggests that Shakespeare's work transcends the boundaries of time and space, and that it will continue to inspire and influence writers for generations to come. This idea is reinforced by the final lines of the poem, which read, "Triumph, my Britain, thou hast one to show, / To whom all scenes of Europe homage owe."
In addition to its themes and motifs, the language and structure of the poem also contribute to its impact. Jonson's use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythmic quality that is reminiscent of Shakespeare's own writing. This creates a sense of continuity between the two writers, and reinforces the idea that they were both part of a larger literary tradition.
The poem is also structured in a way that emphasizes the importance of Shakespeare's work. Each stanza begins with a description of a different aspect of Shakespeare's legacy, such as his plays, his sonnets, and his influence on other writers. This structure allows Jonson to explore the many different ways in which Shakespeare's work has impacted the literary world, and it reinforces the idea that his legacy is multifaceted and far-reaching.
Finally, it is important to consider the historical context in which this poem was written. Jonson wrote this poem in 1623, just a few years after Shakespeare's death. At this time, Shakespeare's plays were still being performed in theaters across London, and his influence on the literary world was already well-established. Jonson's poem can be seen as a tribute to his friend and colleague, but it can also be seen as a way of cementing Shakespeare's place in the literary canon.
In conclusion, To The Memory Of My Beloved, The Author, Mr William Shakespeare, And What He Hath Left Us is a powerful and moving tribute to one of the greatest writers in history. Through his use of language, imagery, and structure, Jonson captures the essence of Shakespeare's work and its enduring legacy. This poem is a testament to the power of literature to transcend time and space, and it reminds us of the importance of honoring and celebrating the great writers who have come before us.
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