"On My First Son" is a poem written by Ben Jonson, a prominent English playwright and poet of the early 17th century. The poem is a moving tribute to Jonson's first son, who died at the young age of seven. It is a deeply personal and emotional piece that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passing of time.
The poem begins with Jonson addressing his son directly, expressing his love and pride in him. He describes the joy and pride he felt when his son was born, and how he had high hopes for his future. However, this joy is quickly overshadowed by the realization that his son's life was cut short, and Jonson is forced to confront the harsh reality of death.
Throughout the poem, Jonson grapples with the pain and grief of losing his son. He describes his son as "the first-born of my hopes," and reflects on the many dreams and ambitions he had for him. He laments the fact that his son will never have the chance to grow up and fulfill his potential, and expresses his deep sense of loss at the thought of never seeing him again.
Despite the sadness and grief that permeates the poem, Jonson also finds solace in the thought that his son is now in a better place, free from the struggles and hardships of this world. He writes, "I'll love thee better after death," suggesting that his love for his son will continue to grow and deepen, even in death.
In the final stanza of the poem, Jonson reflects on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. He writes, "Rest in soft peace, and, asked, say here doth lie / Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry," implying that his son's life and memory will always be a source of pride and inspiration for him.
Overall, "On My First Son" is a poignant and heartfelt tribute to a loved one who has passed away. Jonson's deep love and grief are palpable throughout the poem, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring nature of love, even in the face of death.
Analysis of Ben Jonson's On My First Son
Such privacy, immured by style, sets Jonson off somewhat from Augustan neoclassic writers such as Alexander Pope, who usually engage in smoother and more public address. The ethical universe of Timber is one of Roman, not obtrusively Christian, virtues; if anything, Jonson looks forward to later secular rationalism. His tone is very restricted emotionally which is that he expresses his feelings with an instinctual emotion. Clearly it is the exemplification of those qualities in life that interests him. Such choices were not ill-advised, but they are unrepresentative. The poet tries to put into words his intense feelings about the death of his son and how he regards his son as the most precious person for him.
Critical Analysis on āMy First Sonā by Ben Johnson Free Essay Example
London: Will Stansby, 1616. First of all, look at the title of the piece. The piece is an elegy because it mourns a death. Jonson is not much concerned with describing the Center except as such, as a point from which surrounding space takes orientation. Praise is then given to the deceased boy by saying he is his father's best work of art: Rest in soft peace, and, ask'd, say, 'Here doth lie Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry. Jonson, in fact, lost another child - a daughter - before this incident.
On My First Son Analysis Ben Jonson : Summary Explanation Meaning Overview Essay Writing Critique Peer Review Literary Criticism Synopsis Online Education
Indeed, the slippage between Jonson and God is part of the point. Read in the context of the lines which follow it, we see that Jonson regrets that his own status as a father makes it impossible for him to feel the relief he should feel at his son escaping the miseries of life. His seminal poem, On My First Son, is a lamentation of the loss of his first born son, Benjamin, at the age of seven; he fell ill from the plague and died as a result. Ben Jonson and the Politics of Genre. But ultimately, none of these tactics work. This is a reflection of how much he loves his son and values him more than anything he wrote. Johnson blames himself for the death of his son; he loved him too much and had high hopes for him.
