'Begging Another' by Ben Jonson
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For love's sake, kiss me once again;
I long, and should not beg in vain,
Here's none to spy or see;
Why do you doubt or stay?
I'll taste as lightly as the bee
That doth but touch his flower and flies away.Once more, and faith I will be gone;
Can he that loves ask less than one?
Nay, you may err in this
And all your bounty wrong;
This could be called but half a kiss,
What we're but once to do, we should do long.I will but mend the last, and tell
Where, how it sould have relished well;
Join lip to lip, and try
Each suck other's breath.
And whilst our tongues perplexed lie,
Let who will, think us dead or wish our death.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Begging Another by Ben Jonson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
When it comes to Renaissance poetry, few names stand out quite like that of Ben Jonson. The English playwright, poet, and critic was a master of his craft, a man whose works continue to be celebrated and studied today. One of his most famous poems is Begging Another, a piece that has been analyzed and interpreted countless times over the centuries. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at Begging Another and explore some of the many themes, motifs, and literary devices that make it such a powerful and enduring work of art.
Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, it's important to understand a bit of context about Jonson's life and career. Born in 1572, Jonson grew up in London, where he was educated at Westminster School. He began his career as an actor and playwright, but later turned to poetry and literary criticism. He was a close friend of many other writers of the time, including William Shakespeare, and was a key figure in the literary circles of the late Renaissance.
Summary
Begging Another is a poem of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The poem is addressed to an unknown person, who is being asked to write a poem in Jonson's honor. The poem begins with Jonson acknowledging that he is not a great poet, and that his own work is not worthy of praise. He then goes on to describe the ideal poem that he wants the other person to write for him, using a series of vivid and powerful images to convey his meaning.
In the second stanza, Jonson describes the poem that he wants the other person to write as being like "the raven's note" - dark, mournful, and haunting. He wants the poem to be filled with images of death and decay, and to be written in a somber and solemn tone. He then goes on to describe the ideal subject matter for the poem, which he envisions as being the story of his own life.
In the third stanza, Jonson becomes more specific about what he wants the other person to include in the poem. He wants them to write about his struggles and hardships, and to focus on the darker aspects of his personality. He wants the poem to be honest and raw, and to reveal the true nature of his character.
Finally, in the fourth stanza, Jonson concludes the poem by acknowledging that he may never receive the poem he desires, but that he will continue to hope for it nevertheless. He ends by expressing his gratitude for the other person's efforts, and by thanking them for even considering writing a poem in his honor.
Theme and Motifs
There are several key themes and motifs that run throughout Begging Another. One of the most prominent is the idea of death and decay. Jonson repeatedly uses imagery of darkness, mourning, and decay to convey his desire for a poem that is somber and melancholy. This theme is particularly evident in the second stanza, where he describes the ideal poem as being like "the raven's note" - a reference to the bird's association with death and mourning.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of honesty and authenticity. Jonson emphasizes that he wants the other person to write a poem that is true to his character and experiences, even if it reveals his flaws and shortcomings. This theme is particularly evident in the third stanza, where he asks the other person to write about his struggles and hardships.
Finally, the poem is also marked by a sense of humility and gratitude. Jonson acknowledges that he is not a great poet, and that his own work is not worthy of praise. He expresses his gratitude to the other person for even considering writing a poem in his honor, and concludes the poem with a gracious and humble tone.
Literary Devices
One of the things that makes Begging Another such a powerful and enduring work of art is Jonson's skillful use of literary devices. One of the most prominent of these is imagery. Jonson uses vivid and powerful imagery throughout the poem to convey his meaning and create a sense of mood and atmosphere. Examples of this include his use of the raven to represent death and mourning, and his description of his own life as a "bark that runs aground."
Another important literary device in the poem is repetition. Jonson repeats certain phrases and images throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and momentum. For example, he repeats the phrase "if thou be'st" several times in the first stanza, and uses variations of the word "dark" several times throughout the poem.
Finally, the poem is marked by a sense of irony and paradox. Jonson acknowledges that he is not a great poet, and yet he is asking someone else to write a poem in his honor. He also asks for a poem that is somber and melancholy, even though he himself is known for his wit and humor. These paradoxes create a sense of tension and complexity in the poem, and add to its overall impact and meaning.
Interpretation
So, what does Begging Another mean, and what message is Jonson trying to convey through it? As with any work of art, there are many possible interpretations and meanings, and each reader may take something different away from the poem. However, one of the most common interpretations of Begging Another is that it is a meditation on the nature of art and creativity, and on the relationship between the artist and their audience.
Jonson seems acutely aware of his own limitations as a poet, and yet he is still asking someone else to write a poem in his honor. This suggests that he sees art as a collaborative process, something that is created through the interaction between the artist and their audience. He is also asking for a poem that is honest and authentic, even if it reveals his flaws and shortcomings. This suggests that he sees art as a means of exploring and revealing the truth about the human experience, and of connecting with others through that shared experience.
At the same time, Jonson's emphasis on death and decay, and his desire for a somber and melancholy poem, suggests that he sees art as a means of confronting and coming to terms with the darker aspects of life. He is not interested in a poem that simply flatters or celebrates him, but rather one that acknowledges the struggles and hardships that he has faced, and that speaks to the universal experience of human suffering.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Begging Another is a powerful and enduring poem that continues to captivate and inspire readers today. Through his skillful use of imagery, repetition, and paradox, Jonson creates a sense of mood, atmosphere, and meaning that is both complex and thought-provoking. The themes of death, decay, honesty, and humility, as well as the idea of art as a collaborative process, all contribute to the poem's overall impact and meaning. Whether read as a meditation on the nature of art, a reflection on Jonson's own life and career, or simply as a moving work of poetry, Begging Another remains a testament to Ben Jonson's enduring legacy as one of the great poets of the Renaissance era.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Begging Another: An Analysis of Ben Jonson's Classic Work
Ben Jonson, one of the most celebrated poets of the Renaissance era, is known for his witty and satirical works. Among his many masterpieces, Poetry Begging Another stands out as a classic example of his poetic genius. In this poem, Jonson presents a witty and humorous dialogue between two poets, one of whom is begging the other for a poem. Through this conversation, Jonson explores the nature of poetry, the role of the poet, and the creative process. In this article, we will analyze and explain the various themes and literary devices used in Poetry Begging Another.
The poem begins with the speaker, who is a poet, begging another poet to give him a poem. The second poet responds by saying that he cannot give him a poem because he is not inspired at the moment. This sets the stage for a witty and humorous conversation between the two poets. The first poet tries to persuade the second poet to give him a poem by using various arguments. He says that he needs the poem to impress a lady, to win a bet, and to gain fame. However, the second poet remains unmoved and insists that he cannot give him a poem unless he is inspired.
One of the main themes of the poem is the nature of poetry. Jonson presents poetry as a divine gift that cannot be forced or manufactured. The second poet says, "Poetry is not a turning of words, nor a combination, or a composition, or a figure of speech, but an inspiration." This statement highlights the fact that poetry is not just a matter of skill or technique, but it is something that comes from within. It is a product of the poet's imagination, emotions, and experiences. The first poet, on the other hand, sees poetry as a means to an end. He wants the poem to achieve a specific goal, such as impressing a lady or winning a bet. This contrast between the two poets' views of poetry highlights the tension between art and commerce, between creativity and pragmatism.
Another theme of the poem is the role of the poet. Jonson presents the poet as a person who is both gifted and burdened. The poet is gifted with the ability to create something beautiful and meaningful out of nothing. However, this gift comes with a burden. The poet is constantly under pressure to produce something new and original. The first poet says, "I am in a necessity of making verses, and I cannot do it." This statement highlights the pressure that poets face to produce new works. The second poet, who is more experienced, understands this pressure and advises the first poet to wait for inspiration. He says, "The best way to make verses is to be inspired." This advice highlights the fact that the poet cannot force inspiration. It is something that comes naturally and spontaneously.
One of the literary devices used in the poem is irony. Jonson uses irony to create humor and to highlight the contrast between the two poets' views of poetry. The first poet, who is desperate for a poem, uses various arguments to persuade the second poet to give him a poem. However, his arguments are all based on practical considerations, such as impressing a lady or winning a bet. The second poet, who is more experienced, sees through these arguments and insists that poetry cannot be forced. This contrast between the two poets' views of poetry creates a sense of irony and humor.
Another literary device used in the poem is dialogue. Jonson uses dialogue to create a sense of drama and to explore the various themes of the poem. The conversation between the two poets is witty and humorous, and it highlights the tension between art and commerce, between creativity and pragmatism. The dialogue also allows Jonson to present different perspectives on poetry and to explore the creative process.
In conclusion, Poetry Begging Another is a classic example of Ben Jonson's poetic genius. Through a witty and humorous conversation between two poets, Jonson explores the nature of poetry, the role of the poet, and the creative process. The poem highlights the tension between art and commerce, between creativity and pragmatism. Jonson uses various literary devices, such as irony and dialogue, to create a sense of drama and to explore the various themes of the poem. Poetry Begging Another is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and entertain readers to this day.
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