'On My First Son' by Ben Jonson

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Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy;
My sin was too much hope of thee, loved boy.
Seven years thou wert lent to me, and I thee pay,
Exacted by thy fate, on the just day.Oh, could I lose all father now! For why
Will man lament the state he should envy?
To have so soon 'scaped world's and flesh's rage,
And if no other misery, yet age!Rest in soft peace, and asked, say, Here doth lie
Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry.
For whose sake henceforth all his vows be such
As what he loves may never like too much.

Editor 1 Interpretation

On My First Son by Ben Jonson: A Heart-Wrenching Grief Explored

As a reader, it's difficult to not feel overwhelmed by the emotions that flood through every line of "On My First Son" by Ben Jonson. Written in the 17th century, this poem explores the depths of a father's grief over the loss of his son. The poem is a masterpiece not only for its profound emotional depth, but also for its use of poetic techniques that heighten the power of the message.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's themes, structure, language, and poetic techniques. We will analyze the deep sorrow and love that Jonson conveys through his words, and explore how the poem continues to resonate with readers centuries later.

Themes

The primary theme of "On My First Son" is grief. Jonson's poem is a deeply personal expression of the pain and heartbreak that he experienced upon the death of his son. The poem is also an exploration of the nature of grief itself, and how it affects those who experience it.

The poem also touches on themes of love and loss. Jonson's love for his son is evident from the first line, and the poem is a testament to the profound connection between parent and child. The sense of loss that permeates the poem is not only a result of Jonson's personal grief, but is also a universal experience that speaks to the human condition.

Structure

The poem is structured as an elegy, a type of poem that is traditionally used to mourn the dead. The elegy typically consists of three parts: the lament, the praise, and the consolation. "On My First Son" follows this structure closely.

The first part of the poem, the lament, is the most emotionally charged. Jonson expresses his grief in the most raw and immediate terms. "Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy," he writes, "My sin was too much hope of thee, loved boy." The second part of the poem, the praise, reflects on the virtues of the deceased. In this case, Jonson praises his son's youth and innocence. Finally, the last part of the poem, the consolation, offers a philosophical reflection on the nature of death and the afterlife.

Language

The language of the poem is simple and straightforward, but also deeply poetic. Jonson's use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical quality that adds to its emotional impact. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmical pattern that consists of ten syllables per line, with an emphasis on every other syllable.

The poem's language is rich with imagery that evokes the experience of grief. For example, when Jonson writes, "Exacted by thy fate, on the just day," he uses the metaphor of fate as a ruthless creditor who demands payment on a debt. This image captures the sense of inevitability and helplessness that accompanies the loss of a loved one.

Poetic Techniques

Jonson employs a number of poetic techniques in "On My First Son" that heighten the power of the poem. One of the most striking is his use of repetition. The first line of the poem, "Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy," is repeated at the beginning of the second stanza. This repetition reinforces the sense of finality and loss that pervades the poem.

Another powerful poetic technique that Jonson uses is personification. In the second stanza, he writes, "Rest in soft peace, and asked, say, 'Here doth lie/Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry.'" Here, Jonson is personifying his own poem as his "best piece of poetry." This technique gives the poem a sense of self-awareness and adds to its emotional impact.

Interpretation

"On My First Son" is a poem that speaks to the heart of human experience. Jonson's expression of grief is deeply personal, but also universal. The sense of loss that he conveys is something that nearly everyone can relate to.

The poem is also a reflection on the nature of grief and the human condition. Jonson's philosophical musings on the afterlife and the nature of death offer some comfort, but they also highlight the fundamental unknowability of the human experience.

Ultimately, "On My First Son" is a testament to the power of poetry to capture and express the most profound emotions. Jonson's use of language and poetic techniques heighten the emotional impact of the poem, and his personal experience of grief continues to resonate with readers centuries later.

In conclusion, "On My First Son" is a masterpiece of grief poetry. Jonson's powerful expression of loss and love is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of tragedy. The poem is a must-read for anyone who has experienced loss, and a reminder of the deep emotional resonance that poetry can offer.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry On My First Son: A Heartbreaking Tribute to a Lost Son

Ben Jonson's Poetry On My First Son is a heart-wrenching tribute to his son who died at the age of seven. The poem is a reflection of the poet's grief and his struggle to come to terms with the loss of his beloved child. The poem is a classic example of Jonson's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions through his writing.

The poem is structured as an elegy, a form of poetry that is traditionally used to mourn the dead. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a meter that is commonly used in English poetry. The poem consists of twelve lines, and each line is composed of five iambs, which are metrical feet consisting of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable.

The poem begins with the line "Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it expresses the poet's deep sorrow at the loss of his son. The phrase "child of my right hand" is a biblical reference to a child who is close to the father and is highly valued. The phrase "and joy" is a poignant reminder of the happiness that the child brought to the poet's life.

The second line of the poem reads, "My sin was too much hope of thee, loved boy." This line is a reference to the poet's belief that his excessive love for his son may have contributed to his death. The line is a powerful expression of guilt and regret, and it highlights the poet's struggle to come to terms with his loss.

The third line of the poem reads, "Seven years thou wert lent to me, and I thee pay." This line is a reference to the biblical concept of life being a loan from God. The poet acknowledges that his son was only lent to him for a short time, and he must now pay back the loan by letting him go.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "Exacted by thy fate, on the just day." This line is a reference to the idea that death is predetermined and that everyone must face it at some point. The phrase "on the just day" suggests that the poet believes that his son's death was part of a larger plan and that it was meant to happen at that particular time.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "O, could I lose all father now." This line is a powerful expression of the poet's desire to forget his role as a father and to escape the pain of his loss. The line suggests that the poet is overwhelmed by his grief and that he wishes he could turn back time and avoid the pain of losing his son.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "For why / Will man lament the state he should envy?" This line is a reference to the idea that death is a release from the pain and suffering of life. The poet suggests that his son is now in a better place and that he should not be mourned but celebrated for his release from the suffering of life.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "To have so soon 'scaped world's and flesh's rage." This line is a reference to the idea that life is full of pain and suffering, and that death is a release from this suffering. The phrase "world's and flesh's rage" suggests that the poet believes that life is a struggle against the forces of the world and the flesh, and that death is a release from this struggle.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "And, if no other misery, yet age." This line is a reference to the idea that life is full of misery and suffering, and that even if his son had not died, he would have had to face the suffering of old age. The line suggests that death is a release from the suffering of old age and that the poet's son has been spared this suffering.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "Rest in soft peace, and, asked, say here doth lie / Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry." This line is a reference to the idea that the poet's son is now at peace and that he is in a better place. The phrase "Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry" suggests that the poet's son was his greatest creation and that he was the most important thing in his life.

The tenth line of the poem reads, "For whose sake henceforth all his vows be such / As what he loves may never like too much." This line is a reference to the idea that the poet has learned a valuable lesson from his son's death. The line suggests that the poet will now be more careful with his love and that he will never love anything too much, for fear of losing it.

The eleventh line of the poem reads, "Fairwell, thou child of my right hand, and joy." This line is a repetition of the first line of the poem, and it serves to reinforce the poet's deep sorrow at the loss of his son.

The twelfth and final line of the poem reads, "Now, all thy vows are paid; then, and for ever, / Farewell, O, my earthly joy!" This line is a reference to the idea that the poet's son has now fulfilled his purpose in life and that he has paid back the loan that was given to him. The phrase "Farewell, O, my earthly joy!" is a poignant reminder of the happiness that the poet's son brought to his life and the pain of his loss.

In conclusion, Poetry On My First Son is a powerful elegy that expresses the poet's deep sorrow at the loss of his son. The poem is a reflection of the poet's grief and his struggle to come to terms with his loss. The poem is a classic example of Jonson's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions through his writing. The poem is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the pain of loss, and it serves as a tribute to the poet's beloved son.

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