'To The Memory Of My Beloved, The Author, Mr William Shakespeare, And What He Hath Left Us' by Ben Jonson

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To draw no envy, Shakespeare, on thy name
Am I thus ample to thy book and fame;
While I confess thy writings to be such
As neither Man nor Muse can praise too much.
'Tis true, and all men's suffrage. But these ways
Were not the paths I meant unto thy praise;
For silliest ignorance on these may light,
Which when it sounds at best but echoes right;
Or blind affection, which doth ne'er advance
The truth, but gropes, and urges all by chance;
Or crafty malice might pretend this praise,
And think to ruin where it seemed to raise.
These are as some infamous bawd or whore
Should praise a matron. What could hurt her more?
But thou art proof against them, and indeed
Above th' ill fortune of them, or the need.
I therefore will begin: Soul of the Age!
The applause, delight, the wonder of our stage!
My Shakespeare, rise; I will not lodge thee by
Chaucer, or Spenser, or bid Beaumont lie
A little further, to make thee a room:
Thou art a monument without a tomb,
And art alive still, while thy book doth live,
And we have wits to read, and praise to give.
That I not mix thee so, my brain excuses,
I mean with great but disproportioned Muses,
For if I thought my judgement were of years,
I should commit thee surely with thy peers,
And tell how far thou didst our Lyly outshine,
Or sporting Kyd, or Marlowe's mighty line.
And though thou hadst small Latin and less Greek,
From thence to honour thee I would not seek
For names; but call forth thundering Aeschylus,
Euripides, and Sophocles to us,
Pacuvius, Accius, him of Cordova dead,
To live again, to hear thy buskin tread,
And shake a stage; or, when thy socks were on,
Leave thee alone for the comparison
Of all that insolent Greece or haughty Rome
Sent forth, or since did from their ashes come.
Triumph, my Britain, thou hast one to show
To whom all scenes of Europe homage owe.
He was not of an age, but for all time!
And all the Muses still were in their prime
When, like Apollo, he came forth to warm
Our ears, or, like a Mercury, to charm!
Nature herself was proud of his designs,
And joyed to wear the dressing of his lines!
Which were so richly spun, and woven so fit,
As, since, she will vouchsafe no other wit.
The merry Greek, tart Aristophanes,
Neat Terence, witty Plautus, now not please;
But antiquated and deserted lie,
As they were not of Nature's family.
Yet must I not give Nature all; thy art,
My gentle Shakespeare, must enjoy a part.
For though the poet's matter nature be,
His art doth give the fashion; and that he
Who casts to write a living line must sweat
(Such as thine are) and strike the second heat
Upon the Muses' anvil; turn the same,
And himself with it, that he thinks to frame,
Or for the laurel he may gain a scorn;
For a good poet's made as well as born.
And such wert thou. Look how the father's face
Lives in his issue, even so the race
Of Shakespeare's mind and manners brightly shines
In his well turned and true-filed lines:
In each of which he seems to shake a lance,
As brandished at the eyes of ignorance.
Sweet swan of Avon! what a sight it were
To see thee in our waters yet appear,
And make those flights upon the banks of Thames,
That did so take Eliza and our James!
But stay, I see thee in the hemisphere
Advanced, and made a constellation there:
Shine forth, thou Star of Poets, and with rage,
Or influence, chide or cheer the drooping stage,
Which, since thy flight from hence, hath mourned like night,
And despairs day, but for thy volume's light.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To The Memory Of My Beloved, The Author, Mr William Shakespeare, And What He Hath Left Us

As soon as one reads the title of this poem, one can't help but feel a sense of reverence and admiration for the great William Shakespeare. After all, the poem is not only titled after him, but it is also dedicated to his memory and what he left behind. The author of this poem, Ben Jonson, was a contemporary of Shakespeare, and their works were often compared and contrasted. However, in this poem, Jonson makes it clear that he held Shakespeare in high esteem and that his works were unparalleled in the literary world.

The Poem

The poem is divided into two parts: the first part is written in the form of an elegy, mourning the loss of Shakespeare and lamenting that he has left the world too soon. The second part shifts from mourning to celebration as Jonson acknowledges Shakespeare's greatness and his contribution to the world of literature. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which adds to its musicality and rhythm.

The Elegy

The elegiac tone of the first part of the poem is evident from the very first line, where Jonson declares that Shakespeare is "not of an age, but for all time!" Jonson mourns the loss of Shakespeare and laments that he died too soon, leaving the world bereft of his genius. He compares Shakespeare to a rare flower that blooms once in a lifetime and then withers away, leaving behind only its fragrance. Jonson then goes on to ask why Shakespeare had to die so young when he had so much more to offer. He wonders what other masterpieces Shakespeare would have produced if he had lived longer.

The elegiac tone is further amplified when Jonson declares that he would have given anything to have been able to write like Shakespeare. He laments that he never had the chance to learn from the master himself and that he now regrets not having spent more time with him. Jonson then goes on to say that Shakespeare's death has left a void in the world of literature that can never be filled.

The Celebration

The second part of the poem shifts from mourning to celebration as Jonson acknowledges Shakespeare's greatness and his contribution to the world of literature. Jonson declares that Shakespeare was not just a poet, but a "soul of the age". He was a master of all genres of literature, from tragedy to comedy, and his works were loved by all. Jonson then goes on to list some of Shakespeare's greatest works, such as Julius Caesar, Hamlet, and Othello, and praises his ability to capture the essence of human nature in his characters.

Jonson also acknowledges that Shakespeare was not just a great writer, but a great person as well. He was loved by all who knew him and was known for his wit, humor, and kindness. Jonson then goes on to say that Shakespeare's legacy will live on forever and that his works will always be admired and studied.

Interpretation

To The Memory Of My Beloved, The Author, Mr William Shakespeare, And What He Hath Left Us is a poem that celebrates the life and legacy of William Shakespeare. It is a testament to the impact that Shakespeare had on the literary world and the admiration that his contemporaries held for him. The poem is written in a highly emotional and reverential tone, which reflects the high esteem in which Shakespeare was held.

The elegiac tone of the first part of the poem is especially poignant as Jonson mourns the loss of Shakespeare and laments that he died too soon. This can be interpreted as Jonson expressing his own regret at not having spent more time with Shakespeare and not having had the chance to learn from him. The second part of the poem, however, is a celebration of Shakespeare's greatness and his contribution to the world of literature. This can be seen as Jonson acknowledging Shakespeare's influence on his own work and the work of other writers.

The poem can also be interpreted as a reflection of the cultural and literary context of the time. Shakespeare was writing during the Renaissance, a time of great cultural and artistic innovation. His works were widely read and performed, and he was considered the foremost writer of his time. Jonson's poem can be seen as a reflection of the admiration and reverence that was held for Shakespeare during this time.

Conclusion

To The Memory Of My Beloved, The Author, Mr William Shakespeare, And What He Hath Left Us is a beautiful and moving tribute to one of the greatest writers in the English language. It is a testament to the impact that Shakespeare had on the literary world and the admiration that his contemporaries held for him. The poem is written in a highly emotional and reverential tone, which reflects the high esteem in which Shakespeare was held. Jonson's poem is a celebration of Shakespeare's legacy and a reminder of the immense influence that he continues to have on literature and culture today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To The Memory Of My Beloved, The Author, Mr William Shakespeare, And What He Hath Left Us is a classic poem written by Ben Jonson in 1623, shortly after the death of William Shakespeare. This poem is a tribute to the great playwright and poet, and it celebrates his life and work. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem, and we will discuss its significance in the context of English literature.

The poem is divided into two parts, the first of which is a eulogy to Shakespeare, and the second of which is a reflection on his legacy. The first part begins with the lines, "To draw no envy, Shakespeare, on thy name, / Am I thus ample to thy book and fame." Here, Jonson acknowledges the greatness of Shakespeare's work and expresses his admiration for the playwright. He goes on to describe Shakespeare as a "soul of the age," and he praises his ability to capture the essence of human nature in his writing.

The second part of the poem begins with the lines, "Triumph, my Britain, thou hast one to show, / To whom all scenes of Europe homage owe." Here, Jonson celebrates Shakespeare's impact on English literature and culture. He describes Shakespeare as a "monument without a tomb," meaning that his work will live on forever, even though he is no longer alive. Jonson also praises Shakespeare's ability to capture the essence of Englishness in his writing, saying that he has "not left his peer."

Throughout the poem, Jonson uses a variety of poetic techniques to convey his message. He uses metaphors and similes to describe Shakespeare's greatness, such as when he compares him to a "star" that shines brighter than all others. He also uses alliteration and repetition to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem, such as when he repeats the phrase "Thou art a monument without a tomb."

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its language. Jonson uses a formal, elevated style of language that is typical of the time period in which he lived. He uses words and phrases that are no longer in common usage, such as "ample" and "homage owe." This language gives the poem a sense of grandeur and importance, and it emphasizes the significance of Shakespeare's work.

Another important aspect of this poem is its structure. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, which means that each line ends with a word that rhymes with the next line. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem, and it emphasizes the importance of each line. The poem is also divided into two parts, which creates a sense of progression and development. The first part is a eulogy to Shakespeare, while the second part is a celebration of his legacy. This structure allows Jonson to explore different aspects of Shakespeare's life and work, and it creates a sense of depth and complexity in the poem.

In terms of its significance, Poetry To The Memory Of My Beloved, The Author, Mr William Shakespeare, And What He Hath Left Us is an important poem in the context of English literature. It is a tribute to one of the greatest writers in the English language, and it celebrates his life and work. The poem also reflects the cultural and literary context of the time period in which it was written. During the 17th century, English literature was undergoing a period of great change and development, and Shakespeare was seen as a central figure in this process. Jonson's poem reflects this sense of cultural and literary importance, and it emphasizes the significance of Shakespeare's work in the context of English literature.

In conclusion, Poetry To The Memory Of My Beloved, The Author, Mr William Shakespeare, And What He Hath Left Us is a classic poem that celebrates the life and work of William Shakespeare. Through its language, structure, and themes, the poem emphasizes the greatness of Shakespeare's writing and the significance of his legacy. The poem is an important part of English literary history, and it continues to be studied and admired by scholars and readers alike.

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