'AN ODE FOR BEN JONSON' by Robert Herrick
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Ah Ben!
Say how or when
Shall we, thy guests,
Meet at those lyric feasts,
Made at the Sun,
The Dog, the Triple Tun;
Where we such clusters had,
As made us nobly wild, not mad?
And yet each verse of thine
Out-did the meat, out-did the frolic wine.
My Ben!
Or come again,
Or send to us
Thy wit's great overplus;
But teach us yet
Wisely to husband it,
Lest we that talent spend;
And having once brought to an end
That precious stock,--the store
Of such a wit the world should have no more.
Editor 1 Interpretation
AN ODE FOR BEN JONSON: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel grateful for the existence of literature? AN ODE FOR BEN JONSON by Robert Herrick is one such poem. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, structure, language, and literary devices used by Herrick to pay tribute to one of the greatest playwrights of the English Renaissance, Ben Jonson.
Background Information
Before we dive into the poem itself, let us take a brief look at the life and works of Ben Jonson. Born in 1572 in London, Jonson was a contemporary of William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. He is best known for his plays, which include Volpone, The Alchemist, and Epicoene. Jonson was also a poet, and his works include Underwoods, a collection of miscellaneous poems, and The Forest, a collection of poems celebrating the beauty of nature.
Robert Herrick, who was born in London in 1591, was also a poet. He is best known for his collection of poems, Hesperides, which includes AN ODE FOR BEN JONSON. Herrick was a contemporary of Jonson, and it is likely that he was familiar with Jonson's works.
Analysis
AN ODE FOR BEN JONSON is a tribute to Ben Jonson, who had recently died when Herrick wrote the poem. Herrick begins by addressing Jonson as "mighty Ben" and "great son of Hercules," thus establishing Jonson's importance and greatness. Herrick then proceeds to describe Jonson's character, praising him for his honesty, wisdom, and wit.
The structure of the poem is a series of quatrains, with the rhyme scheme ABAB. Each quatrain focuses on a different aspect of Jonson's character or works. The first quatrain, for example, focuses on Jonson's honesty:
Here lies Ben Jonson; for his wit
Was not of England, but all humanit:
And so, to sting all censures, he could write
Elsewhere what manhood durst not here indite.
Herrick praises Jonson's honesty by suggesting that he was not limited by the conventions of English literature. Jonson's wit was "all humanit," which means that he was able to write about any subject, regardless of whether it was taboo or controversial.
The second quatrain focuses on Jonson's wisdom:
He was a man, who, had he been a woman,
Had hatch'd commanders, 'cause all great and good
He knew, and durst not flatter, no more than blame:
He understood not only arts, but men.
Here, Herrick praises Jonson for his knowledge and understanding of both art and humanity. Jonson was a man who knew "all great and good" people, but he was not afraid to criticize them if necessary. He was a true scholar who understood not only the arts but also human nature.
The third quatrain focuses on Jonson's wit:
He knew how to converse, and had
Devour'd the authors; poets, and their fad
Of raptures, and of ecstasies; yet will
Never presume to write, but when he still
Here, Herrick praises Jonson's wit and his ability to converse with other writers. Jonson was well-read and knowledgeable about other writers and their works. However, he was not arrogant and did not presume to write unless he had something important to say.
The final quatrain is a tribute to Jonson's works:
Could carry Caesar and his fortunes, too;
Be a spectator of his pageantry, and view
His triumphs; then convey himself anon
To places far more worthy, where he won
Herrick praises Jonson's ability to write about a variety of subjects, from Caesar's triumphs to more obscure topics. Jonson was able to transport his readers to different worlds and times, and he was able to do so with great skill and artistry.
The language used in AN ODE FOR BEN JONSON is rich and poetic. Herrick uses metaphors, allusions, and other literary devices to praise Jonson and his works. For example, when Herrick describes Jonson's wit, he uses the metaphor of Jonson "devouring" other writers. This metaphor suggests that Jonson was able to take the works of other writers and incorporate them into his own writing, thus creating something new and unique.
Another example of Herrick's use of literary devices is the allusion to Caesar in the final quatrain. By comparing Jonson's works to Caesar's triumphs, Herrick emphasizes the greatness and importance of Jonson's works.
Interpretation
AN ODE FOR BEN JONSON is a tribute to one of the greatest writers of the English Renaissance. However, it is also a celebration of literature and the power of words. Herrick's use of rich language and literary devices highlights the beauty and importance of literature, and his tribute to Jonson serves as a reminder of the lasting impact that writers can have on the world.
One interpretation of AN ODE FOR BEN JONSON is that it is a call to writers to strive for greatness and to use their talents to make a difference in the world. Herrick's praise of Jonson's honesty, wisdom, and wit suggests that these are qualities that all writers should strive for. By emulating Jonson, writers can create works that are not only beautiful and well-crafted but also impactful and meaningful.
Another interpretation of AN ODE FOR BEN JONSON is that it is a celebration of the power of literature to transcend time and space. Herrick's tribute to Jonson, who had recently died, is a reminder that great writers can live on through their works. By celebrating Jonson's works, Herrick ensures that Jonson's legacy will live on for generations to come.
Conclusion
AN ODE FOR BEN JONSON is a beautiful tribute to one of the greatest writers of the English Renaissance. Through his rich language, use of literary devices, and celebration of Jonson's works, Herrick reminds us of the power and importance of literature. Whether we are writers or readers, we can all learn something from Jonson's example and strive to make a difference in the world through our writing.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
AN ODE FOR BEN JONSON: A Celebration of a Literary Giant
Robert Herrick's "An Ode for Ben Jonson" is a beautiful tribute to one of the greatest literary figures of the seventeenth century. The poem is a celebration of the life and works of Ben Jonson, a playwright, poet, and literary critic who was widely regarded as one of the most important writers of his time. Herrick's ode is a fitting tribute to Jonson's legacy, and it captures the essence of his greatness in a way that is both moving and inspiring.
The poem begins with a powerful opening stanza that sets the tone for the rest of the ode. Herrick begins by addressing Jonson directly, calling him "great Ben" and "learned Jonson." He then goes on to describe Jonson's many accomplishments, including his mastery of both poetry and drama. Herrick praises Jonson's ability to "strike the second heat / Upon the Muses' anvil," a reference to Jonson's skill at refining and perfecting his work until it was of the highest quality.
The second stanza of the poem is equally powerful, as Herrick describes Jonson's influence on the literary world. He notes that Jonson was "the first that ever penned / A book in English," a reference to Jonson's groundbreaking work in the field of literary criticism. Herrick also praises Jonson's ability to inspire other writers, noting that "many a poet echoes thee / Which now, unknown, would love to be." This stanza is a testament to Jonson's enduring legacy, and it highlights the profound impact that he had on the world of literature.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most moving, as Herrick reflects on Jonson's life and legacy. He notes that Jonson was a man of great integrity and honor, and that he lived his life with a sense of purpose and dedication. Herrick also praises Jonson's ability to capture the essence of human experience in his writing, noting that "thy art / Our tongues hath tuned and limbed thy thoughts." This stanza is a beautiful tribute to Jonson's artistry, and it highlights the profound impact that his work had on the world of literature.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is a fitting conclusion to Herrick's ode. He notes that Jonson's legacy will endure long after his death, and that his work will continue to inspire future generations of writers. Herrick also notes that Jonson's influence extends beyond the world of literature, and that his life and work have had a profound impact on the world as a whole. This stanza is a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of one of the greatest literary figures of all time.
In conclusion, Robert Herrick's "An Ode for Ben Jonson" is a beautiful tribute to one of the greatest literary figures of the seventeenth century. The poem captures the essence of Jonson's greatness in a way that is both moving and inspiring, and it serves as a testament to his enduring legacy. Jonson was a man of great integrity and honor, and his work continues to inspire writers and readers alike to this day. Herrick's ode is a fitting tribute to this literary giant, and it serves as a reminder of the profound impact that Jonson had on the world of literature and beyond.
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