'Epitaph On Elizabeth' by Ben Jonson
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Wouldst thou hear what man can say
In a little? Reader, stay.
Underneath this stone doth lie
As much beauty as could die;
Which in life did harbor give
To more virture than doth live.If at all she had a fault,
Leave it buried in this vault.
One name was Elizabeth,
Th' other let it sleep with death;
Fitter, where it died to tell,
Than that it lived at all. Farewell.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Epitaph On Elizabeth by Ben Jonson
Introduction
Ben Jonson was a great poet and playwright of the 17th century. He is remembered for his satirical plays, such as Volpone and The Alchemist. However, he also wrote many poems, some of which are truly magnificent. One of his most famous works is the Epitaph On Elizabeth. This poem was written in memory of his young daughter, who died in 1603. It is a deeply moving and personal tribute that reveals the poet's grief and his profound love for his child.
Form and Structure
The Epitaph On Elizabeth is a sonnet. It consists of fourteen lines, which are divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables, and the stress falls on the second syllable of each foot. This gives the poem a regular and rhythmic sound, which is typical of sonnets.
The poem has a very simple and straightforward structure. The first quatrain introduces the subject of the poem, which is Elizabeth. It describes her as a "flower" that has been "cropt" before it could fully bloom. The second quatrain expresses the poet's sorrow at her death and his sense of loss. The third quatrain compares Elizabeth's short life to a dream that has passed too quickly. The final couplet provides a concluding statement, which is that Elizabeth was too good for this world and has gone to a better place.
Themes and Imagery
The main theme of the Epitaph On Elizabeth is grief and loss. The poem is a lament for a young life cut short. Jonson's grief is evident throughout the poem, but he also celebrates Elizabeth's life and her virtues. He describes her as a "rose" and a "flower," which are common images for young girls. The imagery of flowers also suggests the transience of life, since flowers are fragile and short-lived.
In the second quatrain, Jonson expresses his sense of loss and his feelings of emptiness. He says that Elizabeth's death has left a "cold bed" and a "desolate house." These images convey the idea of absence and loneliness. The third quatrain compares Elizabeth's life to a dream that has passed too quickly. This image reinforces the idea that life is fleeting and impermanent.
The final couplet provides a hopeful note, suggesting that Elizabeth's death is not the end, but a passage to a better place. Jonson says that Elizabeth was too good for this world, and that she has gone to heaven. This image of heaven is a common motif in Jonson's poetry, and reflects his religious beliefs.
Language and Tone
The language of the Epitaph On Elizabeth is simple and direct. Jonson uses concrete images and natural language to convey his grief and his love for his daughter. The tone of the poem is sorrowful and melancholic. Jonson's grief is evident from the first line, where he describes Elizabeth as a "rose" that has been "cropt" before it could bloom.
However, there are also moments of tenderness and beauty in the poem. Jonson's description of Elizabeth as a "flower" and a "rose" is poetic and evocative. The image of the "cold bed" in the second quatrain is also powerful, as it conveys a sense of emptiness and absence.
The final couplet provides a note of consolation and hope. Jonson suggests that Elizabeth's death is not the end, but a passage to a better place. This image of heaven is a common motif in Jonson's poetry, and reflects his religious beliefs.
Conclusion
The Epitaph On Elizabeth is a deeply moving and personal tribute to a young life cut short. It is a testament to Jonson's love for his daughter, and his grief at her death. The poem is also a reflection on the transience of life, and the hope of a better place beyond this world. Jonson's use of simple language and concrete imagery makes the poem accessible and emotionally powerful. The Epitaph On Elizabeth is a masterpiece of English poetry, and a fitting tribute to a beloved child.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Epitaph On Elizabeth: A Masterpiece of Ben Jonson
Ben Jonson, the famous English playwright, poet, and literary critic, is known for his remarkable contributions to the world of literature. Among his many works, Epitaph On Elizabeth stands out as a masterpiece that showcases his poetic genius. This poem is a tribute to Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir John Drake, who died at a young age. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem to understand its significance and beauty.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the reader, inviting them to read the epitaph. The opening lines, "Underneath this sable hearse / Lies the subject of all verse," set the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "sable" creates a somber mood, indicating that the poem is about death. The phrase "subject of all verse" suggests that the poem is about someone who is worthy of being immortalized in poetry.
The next few lines describe Elizabeth's virtues and qualities. The speaker praises her beauty, intelligence, and kindness, saying that she was "fair, learned, and good." The use of the word "fair" suggests physical beauty, while "learned" and "good" indicate her intellectual and moral virtues. The speaker also mentions that Elizabeth was "loved by all, but more by me," suggesting that the speaker had a special relationship with her.
The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of death. The lines "Death, ere thou hast slain another / Learn'd and fair and good as she, / Time shall throw a dart at thee" suggest that death is not invincible and that it too will eventually be defeated by time. The use of the word "learned" in this context is interesting, as it suggests that death is ignorant and that knowledge is a weapon against it.
The next few lines describe Elizabeth's death and the speaker's grief. The speaker says that Elizabeth was "cut off in her prime," indicating that she died at a young age. The phrase "prime of life" suggests that Elizabeth had a lot of potential and that her death was a great loss. The speaker's grief is evident in the lines "Oh, could I lose all father now! / For why / Will man lament the state he should envy?" The speaker is saying that he wishes he could die too, as he cannot bear the pain of losing Elizabeth. The phrase "the state he should envy" suggests that death is a desirable state, as it brings an end to suffering.
The poem ends with a powerful couplet that summarizes its message. The lines "To have liv'd beloved, and died / Not unwept, nor yet untried" suggest that Elizabeth lived a good life, was loved by many, and that her death was mourned. The use of the word "untried" suggests that Elizabeth faced challenges in her life and that she overcame them. The couplet also suggests that a good life is one that is lived with love and purpose, and that death is not the end of it.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It consists of four quatrains, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The use of rhyme creates a musical quality to the poem, making it easier to remember and recite. The poem also has a consistent meter, with each line consisting of ten syllables. The use of iambic pentameter creates a rhythm that adds to the poem's musicality.
The poem also uses several literary devices to enhance its meaning and beauty. The use of personification, as seen in the lines "Death, ere thou hast slain another / Learn'd and fair and good as she," creates a vivid image of death as a person who can be defeated. The use of metaphor, as seen in the lines "Underneath this sable hearse / Lies the subject of all verse," creates a powerful image of Elizabeth's death as a subject worthy of being immortalized in poetry. The use of alliteration, as seen in the lines "fair, learned, and good," creates a musical quality to the poem and emphasizes Elizabeth's virtues.
In conclusion, Epitaph On Elizabeth is a masterpiece of Ben Jonson that showcases his poetic genius. The poem explores themes of death, grief, and the value of a good life. The structure and literary devices used in the poem enhance its meaning and beauty, making it a timeless piece of literature. The poem's message is still relevant today, as it reminds us that a good life is one that is lived with love and purpose, and that death is not the end of it.
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