'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: A Critical Interpretation

Introduction

Epitaphs are generally solemn and serious affairs, meant to commemorate the dead and summarize their life achievements in a few words. But Ben Jonson's "Epitaph On Elizabeth" is different. It is a witty, playful and sometimes ironic tribute to a lady who seems to have been a remarkable person in her own right. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, structure, language and imagery in this classic poem, and try to unravel the secrets of its enduring appeal.

Historical Context

Before delving into the poem itself, it is useful to provide some historical context. Elizabeth, the subject of the epitaph, was Elizabeth L. H., a woman who lived during the reign of James I (1603-1625) in England. She was apparently a renowned beauty and a patron of the arts, who had many admirers and friends among the literary and artistic circles of her time. Ben Jonson, who was a contemporary of Shakespeare and one of the most celebrated poets and playwrights of his age, knew Elizabeth personally and was inspired to write this epitaph upon her death. The poem was first published in Jonson's 1616 folio, and has since become one of his most famous works.

Structure and Form

The poem consists of twelve lines, arranged in two stanzas of six lines each. It follows the traditional form of an epitaph, in that it begins with the name of the deceased and ends with a farewell or blessing. But Jonson's epitaph is not a conventional one. He plays with the form, using rhyme, meter and punctuation to create a playful and ironic tone. The first stanza is a series of puns on Elizabeth's name, which is spelled out in acrostic form:

E lizabeth L. H. 
I n quiet and in neereness of love's name,
Z eal and devotion weeping at her fame:
A lbeit in her life her title shined
B ut brighter far, in death, it is divined;
E ngland's and virtue's mine, choice spirits, thus
Tomb'd in her soul, lie sepulchred with us.

Each line begins with a letter that spells out Elizabeth's name, and each line contains a pun on the letter or the name itself. For example, the second line plays on the similarity between "neereness" and "dearness", suggesting that Elizabeth was loved by many. The third line uses the phrase "weeping at her fame" to suggest that even those who did not know her personally were moved by her reputation. The fourth line contrasts her life achievements with her posthumous fame, suggesting that she was appreciated more after death than during her lifetime. The fifth line is a paradox, suggesting that Elizabeth was not just an individual but a symbol of England and virtue. The sixth line suggests that her soul is buried with the poet and his readers, implying that her memory will be cherished by all who appreciate poetry and wit.

The second stanza continues the playful and ironic tone, but shifts the focus from Elizabeth to the poet himself:

J onson, her best piece of poetry,
O ur times e'er saw; the next, her nearest glory:
N ature herself did strive to have brought forth
S omething beyond all usages of worth;
O ur fancy's limit, in no other part
N ow bounded, but by her, and Jonson's art.

The first line is a pun on Jonson's own name, which is spelled out in acrostic form. It suggests that Jonson considers his poem to be the best tribute to Elizabeth, and that she was his muse and inspiration. The second line is an extravagant claim, suggesting that Elizabeth was even more glorious than the times in which she lived. The third and fourth lines suggest that Elizabeth was a natural genius, who surpassed all expectations and norms. The fifth line is a paradox, suggesting that Elizabeth's greatness has expanded the limits of human imagination, and that Jonson's art is the only thing that can approach it. The sixth line reinforces Jonson's claim to be Elizabeth's best interpreter, and suggests that she will be remembered not just for her own achievements, but for the way in which Jonson has celebrated her memory.

Themes and Imagery

The themes of the poem are many and varied, but can be summarized as follows:

• Beauty and fame: Elizabeth is praised for her beauty and her reputation, which have made her a legend even in death.
• Art and creativity: Jonson emphasizes his own artistry and Elizabeth's natural genius, suggesting that they are kindred spirits.
• Mortality and immortality: The poem celebrates Elizabeth's memory and suggests that she will live on through Jonson's art.
• Irony and playfulness: The poem uses puns, paradoxes and other rhetorical devices to create a witty and ironic tone, which is both celebratory and critical.

The imagery of the poem is also rich and varied, but can be grouped into the following categories:

• Natural imagery: The poem suggests that Elizabeth was a natural genius, who was admired by all who knew her. This is conveyed through the use of words such as "mine", "choice spirits", "soul" and "sepulchred", which suggest a close connection between Elizabeth and nature.
• Artistic imagery: The poem emphasizes Jonson's own artistry and Elizabeth's inspiration, suggesting that they were both gifted artists who transcended the limits of their time. This is conveyed through the use of words such as "poetry", "glory", "fancy" and "art", which suggest a connection between creativity and immortality.
• Paradoxical imagery: The poem uses paradoxes and other rhetorical devices to create a sense of irony and playfulness, which is both celebratory and critical. This is conveyed through the use of words such as "neereness", "divined", "Tomb'd", "limit", and "usages", which suggest a complex relationship between reality and imagination.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ben Jonson's "Epitaph On Elizabeth" is a remarkable poem that combines wit, irony, and playfulness with a deep admiration for its subject. Through its use of acrostic form, rhyme, meter, and punctuation, the poem creates a sense of celebration and critique, suggesting that Elizabeth was a natural genius who transcended the limits of her time, and that Jonson was her best interpreter. The themes of beauty, art, mortality, and immortality are woven together in a rich and varied tapestry of imagery, which celebrates Elizabeth's memory and suggests that she will live on through Jonson's art. This is a poem that rewards careful reading and interpretation, and that continues to inspire readers and writers alike with its timeless wit and charm.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Epitaph On Elizabeth: A Masterpiece by Ben Jonson

Ben Jonson, the renowned English playwright, poet, and literary critic, is known for his exceptional works that have stood the test of time. One of his most celebrated poems is the Epitaph On Elizabeth, which is a tribute to his first daughter who died at the tender age of six. This masterpiece is a poignant and emotional piece that captures the essence of a father's love for his child and the pain of losing her. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.

The poem is an epitaph, which is a short inscription on a tombstone or monument that commemorates the deceased. Jonson wrote this epitaph for his daughter Elizabeth, who died in 1593. The poem is a reflection of Jonson's grief and his attempt to immortalize his daughter's memory through his words. The poem is divided into two stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first stanza describes Elizabeth's physical appearance, while the second stanza focuses on her character and personality.

The first stanza begins with the line "Underneath this sable hearse," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "sable" refers to black, which is the color of mourning. The use of this word creates a somber and melancholic atmosphere, which is appropriate for an epitaph. The next line, "Lies the subject of all verse," is a reference to Elizabeth, who is the subject of the poem. The use of the word "verse" is significant because Jonson was a poet, and he is suggesting that his daughter is the inspiration for all his poetry.

The third line of the first stanza is "Sidney's sister, Pembroke's mother," which is a reference to Elizabeth's family. Sir Philip Sidney was a famous poet and courtier who died in 1586, and he was a close friend of Jonson's. Elizabeth's mother was Lady Mary Sidney, who was the sister of Sir Philip Sidney. William Herbert, the Earl of Pembroke, was Elizabeth's godfather and a close friend of Jonson's. The use of these names adds a personal touch to the poem and shows the close relationship between Jonson and Elizabeth's family.

The final line of the first stanza is "Death, ere thou hast slain another, Fair and learn'd and good as she, Time shall throw a dart at thee." This line is a warning to Death, personified as a figure, that he should not take another life as fair, learned, and good as Elizabeth's. The use of the word "fair" refers to Elizabeth's physical beauty, while "learned" and "good" refer to her character and personality. The line "Time shall throw a dart at thee" is a reference to the inevitability of Death. Jonson is suggesting that Death will eventually meet his own end, and Time will be the one to bring about his demise.

The second stanza begins with the line "Marble piles let no man wonder." This line is a reference to the tombstone that will be erected in Elizabeth's memory. The use of the word "marble" suggests that the tombstone will be grand and impressive, which is fitting for a person of Elizabeth's stature. The next line, "Some things are not buried under," is a reference to Elizabeth's legacy. Jonson is suggesting that even though Elizabeth's physical body is buried, her memory and legacy will live on.

The third line of the second stanza is "Her soul's pure, her fame's unspotted." This line is a reflection of Elizabeth's character and personality. Jonson is suggesting that Elizabeth was a pure and virtuous person, and her reputation was unblemished. The use of the word "fame" suggests that Elizabeth was well-known and respected in her community.

The final line of the poem is "The loved boy of love begot." This line is a reference to Elizabeth's father, Ben Jonson. The use of the word "boy" suggests that Jonson is still grieving the loss of his daughter, and he sees himself as a child in the face of death. The phrase "love begot" suggests that Elizabeth was born out of love, which is a testament to the love that Jonson had for his daughter.

In terms of language, the poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a common meter in English poetry. The use of this meter gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality, which is appropriate for a poem that is meant to be read aloud. The poem also uses alliteration, which is the repetition of consonant sounds, to create a sense of harmony and balance. For example, the phrase "fair and learned and good" uses alliteration to create a sense of symmetry and balance.

In conclusion, the Epitaph On Elizabeth is a masterpiece of English poetry that captures the essence of a father's love for his child and the pain of losing her. The poem is a reflection of Jonson's grief and his attempt to immortalize his daughter's memory through his words. The poem is structured in two stanzas, each consisting of four lines, and is written in iambic pentameter. The language of the poem is musical and uses alliteration to create a sense of harmony and balance. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human emotion and to immortalize the memory of those we love.

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