'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
Exploring the Depths of Grief in Ben Jonson’s “On My First Son”
Ben Jonson, the renowned Elizabethan poet, wrote “On My First Son” in the aftermath of the death of his seven-year-old son, Benjamin, in 1603. This elegy, which is widely regarded as one of Jonson’s finest poems, captures the agony of a father who has lost his beloved son and expresses a writer’s grief in the most poignant language possible. Throughout the poem, Jonson grapples with his loss, and the reader is taken on a journey through the stages of his grief as he tries to come to terms with his tragedy.
The Poem in Context
Before diving deeper into the poem, it is important to contextualize Jonson’s life and understand the events that led to the creation of “On My First Son.” Benjamin Jonson was born in 1572 and was one of the most influential playwrights and poets of the seventeenth century. Despite his numerous successes, both in the realm of theater and poetry, Jonson suffered several personal tragedies. In 1598, his father died, and in 1603, his son, Benjamin, died of the plague. This event rocked Jonson to his core, and he expressed his grief in the form of this elegy.
The Structure of the Poem and Its Significance
The poem is structured as a twelve-line epigram, which is a form of poetry that was popular during the Elizabethan era. The epigram was characterized by its brevity, wit, and sharpness, and Jonson employs these features to great effect in “On My First Son.” The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a meter that consists of ten syllables per line and is commonly used in English poetry.
The first two lines of the poem set the tone and establish the subject matter. Jonson writes, “Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy; / My sin was too much hope of thee, loved boy.” These lines are poignant and evocative, as Jonson bids farewell to his son and acknowledges that he was his greatest joy. The second line is particularly striking, as it highlights a sense of guilt that Jonson feels for having had too much hope for his son’s future.
The third and fourth lines of the poem further explore Jonson’s sense of responsibility for his son’s death, as he writes, “Seven years thou wert lent to me, and I thee pay, / Exacted by thy fate, on the just day.” These lines allude to the idea that Benjamin’s death was predetermined and that Jonson was simply paying back the debt that he owed to fate.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem describe Jonson’s deep sorrow, as he writes, “Oh, could I lose all father now! For why / Will man lament the state he should envy?” These lines are particularly striking, as they highlight the paradox of grief. Jonson acknowledges that his son is in a better place, and yet he cannot help but feel a profound sense of loss.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem express Jonson’s belief in the afterlife, as he writes, “To have so soon ‘scaped world’s and flesh’s rage, / And, if no other misery, yet age?” These lines allude to the idea that death is a release from the struggles of life, and that Benjamin was fortunate to have escaped the pain and suffering that comes with old age.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem express Jonson’s desire for his son to rest in peace, as he writes, “Rest in soft peace, and asked, say, ‘Here doth lie / Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry.’” These lines are particularly poignant, as they express Jonson’s hope that his son will be remembered for the beautiful person that he was.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem express Jonson’s belief that he will be reunited with his son in the afterlife, as he writes, “For whose sake, henceforth, all his vows be such, / As what he loves may never like too much.” These lines are a powerful expression of Jonson’s wish to be reunited with his son, and they highlight the depth of his love and devotion.
The Theme of Grief and the Struggle to Overcome It
The theme of grief is central to “On My First Son,” and Jonson grapples with this theme throughout the poem. From the opening lines, Jonson’s sorrow is palpable, and he expresses a deep sense of loss and regret. As the poem progresses, Jonson explores the various stages of his grief, from denial to acceptance, and he acknowledges that his son’s death has left a void in his life that cannot be filled.
One of the most striking aspects of “On My First Son” is Jonson’s willingness to confront the reality of death. He acknowledges that death is an inevitable part of life, and that it is something that must be accepted. However, he also expresses a sense of hope, as he believes that his son is in a better place and that he will one day be reunited with him. This sense of hope is a powerful reminder that even in the face of tragedy, there is always the possibility of redemption.
Conclusion
“On My First Son” is a powerful elegy that captures the pain and sorrow of a father who has lost his beloved son. Through the use of poignant language and vivid imagery, Jonson takes the reader on a journey through the stages of grief, from denial to acceptance. While the poem is deeply personal, it also speaks to a universal truth about the human experience. The theme of grief is something that we all must confront at some point in our lives, and Jonson’s elegy is a reminder that even in the face of tragedy, there is always the possibility of hope and redemption.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
On My First Son: A Heartfelt Elegy by Ben Jonson
Ben Jonson's "On My First Son" is a poignant and emotional elegy that explores the themes of grief, loss, and the fragility of life. Written in 1603, the poem is a tribute to Jonson's son, who died at the tender age of seven. The poem is a reflection of the pain and sorrow that Jonson experienced after losing his beloved child.
The poem is structured as a twelve-line epigram, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a rhythmic and musical quality. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first stanza focusing on the speaker's grief and the second stanza on his acceptance of his son's death.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing his grief and sorrow at the loss of his son. He refers to his son as his "best piece of poetry," which is a metaphor for his son's life. The speaker is devastated by the loss of his son, and he feels that he has lost a part of himself. He says that his son was his "joy, my wit, my eloquence," which shows how much he valued his son's presence in his life.
The speaker then goes on to say that he loved his son too much, which is why he was taken away from him. He says that he loved his son more than he loved anything else in the world, including his own life. This is a powerful statement that shows the depth of the speaker's love for his son.
The second stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's acceptance of his son's death. He says that he has learned a valuable lesson from his son's death, which is that life is fragile and can be taken away at any moment. He says that his son was too good for this world, and that he is now in a better place.
The speaker then says that he will never forget his son, and that he will always remember him as his "best piece of poetry." He says that he will never love anything as much as he loved his son, and that he will always carry his son's memory with him.
The poem is a powerful and emotional tribute to Jonson's son. It is a reflection of the pain and sorrow that he experienced after losing his beloved child. The poem is also a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the people we love while they are still with us.
The poem is also a reflection of the Elizabethan era's attitudes towards death and mourning. During this time, death was a common occurrence, and people were expected to mourn their loved ones for a certain period of time. The poem reflects this attitude, as the speaker expresses his grief and sorrow at the loss of his son.
In conclusion, "On My First Son" is a powerful and emotional elegy that explores the themes of grief, loss, and the fragility of life. The poem is a tribute to Jonson's son, and it reflects the pain and sorrow that he experienced after losing his beloved child. The poem is also a reminder of the importance of cherishing the people we love while they are still with us. Overall, "On My First Son" is a timeless piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
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