from Underwoods Ben Jonson

1. fromUnderwoods Ben Jonson

2. Ben Jonson 1572-1637

3. Jonson was a poet, essayist, and playwright who also worked as an actor for Philip Henslowe’s theater company. Under King James I’s patronage, Jonson wrote most of his famous satirical plays and was granted a pension of 100 marks a year; consequently, he is often called England’s first Poet Laureate. He had many followers, one group of which was called the “Tribe of Ben.” These followers/writers are often referred to as the Cavalier/Carpe Diem poets. He was also friends with Shakespeare, John Donne and Francis Bacon. Paul Rainer

4. Context Jonson wrote this poem for a dear friend, Henry Morrison, who died of small pox at a young age. This poem celebrates his brief life.

5. fromUnderwoods It is not growing like a tree In bulk, doth make man better be; Or standing long an oak, three hundred year, To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere: A lily of a day Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night; It was the plant and flower of light. In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures life may perfect be. yogaforamodernaage.com

6. Content Life is more like a lily than a tree because, although life may be short, there is beauty and moments of perfection in it; thus, the quality of life is more important than the quantity.

7. Structure • This poem is extracted from a longer Ode. • The poem is comprised of rhyming couplets that expand and contract to reflect the idea embodied in the line(s). • A series of iambs varies in beats, but concludes with the longest lines written in iambic pentameter. • The poem is short, which reflects the theme of the poem.

8. “Not” reveals the speaker’s disapproval with the “oak” and its “standing long.” Enjambment in line 1 stresses the bulk or earthly power of trees. It is not growing like a tree In bulk, doth make man better be; Or standing long an oak, three hundred year, To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere: The “oak” symbolizes deep roots and longevity. Thus, endurance does not make life better. The imagery shows a beautiful, old tree falling and becoming an ugly, “bald” log. Extended metaphor of oak reverses usual symbol of strength and stability. Caesura stresses fall of tree that regardless of power or endurance, still dies. Inverted syntax of “a log” places the emphasis on the “fall” of the tree. Alliteration of “b” sound reinforces idea of “bulk” and focuses attention on a quantity.

9. The lily symbolizes purity or majesty and is considered the birth flower of May. It is also a flower often chosen for a funeral. May is considered the birth month, the beginning of spring. A lily of a day Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night; It was the plant and flower of light. The couplet in lines 5 and 6 is the shortest in meter to represent the short life of the lily. They also mark the shift of the poem. The metaphor of the lily begins with “it,” which states directly that the lily “was the…flower of light.” The final couplet emphasizes “night” as the end of the lily’s life cycle, which then reinforces “light” as the flower’s positive energy and moment of beauty. This abbreviated cycle of life contains more beauty than the tree’s enduring life span.

10. Jonson’s choice of diction with “beauties” and “perfect” compliment his deceased friend. The final couplet reinforces Jonson’s message that greatness, nobility, or perfection may not be found in what is obvious, but rather in “small proportions” like the lily. In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures life may perfect be. Choice of diction with “just” and “may” reveals the opportunities inherit in life, even abbreviated ones.

11. Themes A long life lived in vain is less noble or worthy than a short life lived to its fullest. Life does not have to offer obvious substance to be enjoyed. When searching for beauty, one does not need to look for the obvious. Life’s most rewarding experiences may be found in transient moments. The quality of one’s life is more important than the quantity of life. stokemyfire.com

12. Roxy Paine Works Cited http://aspoetryanalysis.weebly.com/index.html http://www.cieliterature.com/2014/06/20/from-underwoods/ http://www.eliteskills.com/analysis_poetry http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/ben-jonson http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/7-10-12/60422.html