Analysis
Ben Jonson, often overshadowed by the towering figure of William Shakespeare, is a paragon of neoclassical artistry and humanistic thought. While his contemporaries and successors might have prioritized emotion and imagination, Jonson emerged as a master of reason, structure, and classical poise. His poetry, plays, and critical works weave together an intellectual tapestry that is deeply rooted in Renaissance humanism and neoclassical ideals, showcasing his unique ability to marry art with didactic purpose.
Examining Jonson's Poetic Craft
In the realm of poetry, Ben Jonson is widely known for his songs and epitaphs, though these works represent only a fragment of his literary prowess. His famous songs, such as “Kiss me, sweet: the wary lover” and “Drink to me only with thine eyes,” enchant with their emotive depth, inviting readers to experience worlds of extravagant gestures and implausible experiences. The rhythms in these songs are more fluid and less interrupted than what Jonson typically employed, creating sensuous and irrational responses to language. However, these songs, while successful, are not wholly representative of Jonson's typical tone, which is more grounded and reflective of his humanistic ideals.
The epitaphs, particularly "On My First Son" and "On My First Daughter," resonate with profound emotion as Jonson grapples with personal loss while maintaining a rational conviction. These poems convey a tension between subjective grief and the acceptance of divine will, showcasing Jonson's skill in rationally controlling despair even as consolation remains elusive. Such expressions of private sorrow were atypical of Jonson’s broader body of work, which often leaned towards public and objective themes.
Jonson's poetry, marked by its intellectual rigor, was initially overshadowed by the Romantic and Victorian tastes that favored more rhapsodic expressions of feeling. However, in the late twentieth century, critics began to reassess Jonson's works, recognizing his neoclassical artistry and the Renaissance humanism that underscored his writings. Unlike the Metaphysical poets like John Donne, whose works were characterized by intense psychological self-discovery, Jonson's approach was more secular and grounded, focusing on the tensions between ordinary human experiences and exemplary figures.
Humanism and Education in Timber
Jonson’s humanistic inclinations are vividly apparent in Timber, where he portrays learning, thought, and language as integral parts of human activity. Renaissance humanism emphasized education as a means of cultivating wise and effective behavior, and Jonson viewed linguistic prowess as central to this educational paradigm. For Jonson, education involved emulating the deeds and words of past figures, not to merely imitate them, but to hone one's capabilities to rival those of antiquity, adapting their lessons to the contemporary world.
Though Jonson operated within a stratified society and was unable to wield power directly due to his non-aristocratic origins, he found influence through his writings. By attaching himself to noble households and the court, Jonson offered counsel to the elite, encouraging them towards ideals such as justice through his masques and poems. This indirect influence was a hallmark of Jonson's career, as he sought to engage with the powerful obliquely through his humanistic lens.
Jonson’s version of humanism diverged from others, particularly in its secular rationalism that sometimes brushed against religious pastoralism. Influenced by Roman Stoicism and thinkers like Seneca, Jonson valued integrity, correlating personal behavior with inner nature rather than external circumstances. This approach, evident in Jonson’s literary style, emphasized the expression of an individual's "inmost" self through language, creating a neoclassic verse that reflected his secular and somewhat Senecan humanism.
The Epistles: Communication as Art
Jonson’s epistolary poems, such as “An Epistle answering to One that asked to be Sealed of the Tribe of Ben,” illustrate his mastery of communication as an art form. Many...
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of his poems are framed as dialogues or letters to specific individuals, focusing on the linguistic interaction between speaker and audience. This approach sets Jonson apart, as these poems are not merely vehicles for imagery or myth, but acts of communication steeped in rhetorical style.
The style of these epistles is often conditioned by the relationship between the speaker and the addressee. For example, in the “Epistle to Master John Selden,” Jonson employs a concise and sometimes cryptic style, confident that Selden, a fellow intellect, will understand his references and thought processes. Jonson’s diction across his epistles is typically colloquial, characterized by a vital and judicious language that captures an unpremeditated speech propelled by emotion.
These stylistic choices, alongside the titles and addressees, root Jonson’s epistles in classical tradition, echoing the works of Seneca and Horace. The poem “An Epistle answering to One that asked to be Sealed of the Tribe of Ben” exemplifies Jonson’s ability to intertwine personal narrative with broader classical moral wisdom, drawing on tradition while making a distinct moral statement. The theme of centeredness within this poem reflects Jonson’s humanistic ideals, emphasizing behavior guided by a firm moral principle rather than external chaos.
Epigrams: Brevity and Wit
In his epigrams, Jonson excels in capturing the essence of characters through brief, incisive remarks. These epigrams, often satirical, aim to distill a subject to its core, employing wit and sharp observation to comment on human nature. Jonson’s epigrammatic style shares affinities with his epistolary works, drawing inspiration from Roman sources like Martial, who conceived his epigrams as concise letters.
Jonson's use of the pentameter couplet, a standard form in neoclassic poetry, demonstrates his ability to convey concentrated thought and wit within a defined structure. While the couplet provides order and symmetry, Jonson frequently challenges this form, allowing his syntax and logic to flow across prosodic boundaries. This tension between structure and freedom reflects Jonson’s secular humanism, portraying language and human agency as independent forces within a contained literary form.
The themes in Jonson’s epigrams range from sharp satire to reflections on personal integrity. His portraits of stable characters like William Roe resonate with the centered individuals in his epistles, while scathing portrayals of figures like Something, that Walks Somewhere highlight the potential for disorganized, unfocused living. Jonson’s mastery of the epigrammatic form is a testament to his ability to balance brevity, wit, and moral insight.
"To Penshurst": A Celebration of Harmony
"To Penshurst," one of Jonson’s most celebrated poems, praises the harmonious relationship between humans and their environment. Set on the Sidney family estate, the poem depicts a world where nature generously provides for its human stewards, creating a balanced ecosystem. Penshurst serves as a microcosm of ideal human interaction, where social and natural elements coexist in a mutually beneficial network.
The poem’s depiction of this harmonious world is largely untroubled, a rarity in Jonson’s work, which often incorporates satirical contrasts. By focusing on the integration of human roles within a thriving ecosystem, "To Penshurst" stands as a testament to Jonson’s belief in the potential for human society to reflect natural order and abundance.
Odes and Epic Ambitions
Jonson’s venture into the ode form, particularly with "To the Immortal Memory and Friendship of that Noble Pair, Sir Lucius Cary and Sir H. Morison," reveals his ambition to blend personal grief with public commemoration. The ode’s complex stanzaic structure and vivid imagery reflect Jonson’s mastery of both content and form. His use of unconventional imagery, like the "infant of Saguntum," challenges readers to reconsider conventional notions of life and death, offering secular consolation through the celebration of noble actions and relationships.
The ode’s focus on action over mere existence aligns with Jonson’s broader humanistic themes, positioning life as defined by deeds rather than duration. This secular heroism is a hallmark of Jonson’s work, demanding readers to engage with his vision of life as an active, meaningful pursuit.
Volpone: Satire and Moral Complexity
Jonson’s play Volpone is a masterful exploration of greed and manipulation, grounded in his devotion to classical theories. The plot revolves around the titular character, Volpone, and his servant Mosca, who deceive Venetian fortune hunters into believing that Volpone is dying, thus prompting them to vie for inclusion in his will. The play’s structure, marked by deception and farcical moments, reveals Jonson’s skill in crafting complex intrigue while maintaining a satirical edge.
Unlike Shakespeare's comedies, which often affirm life, Jonson's comedies, such as Volpone, offer a critique of human folly. The play's resolution, with its harsh punishments, underscores Jonson’s commitment to moral didacticism, illustrating the consequences of unchecked ambition and greed.
The Alchemist: Comedy and Deceit
The Alchemist shares thematic similarities with Volpone, focusing on a trio of swindlers who exploit the greed of their London victims. Set in a central London house, the play unfolds as a series of comedic episodes where the tricksters promise their victims the philosopher’s stone, a metaphor for their grand confidence scheme. Jonson’s use of alchemical language and ritual adds a layer of comedic absurdity to the plot, engaging audiences with its rapid costume changes and sleight-of-hand.
Though The Alchemist lacks the darker moral undertones of Volpone, it remains a sharp critique of human folly, illustrating Jonson’s belief in the need for moral order amidst chaos. The play’s ending, where the tricksters are exposed but not harshly punished, reflects Jonson’s view of their victims as deserving of their fate due to their own greed and gullibility.
Legacy and Contribution
While Jonson might not inspire the same affection as Shakespeare, his contributions to literature are profound and enduring. His works, spanning poetry, plays, and criticism, reveal an artist deeply committed to exploring the complexities of human nature through a neoclassical lens. Jonson’s emphasis on reason, structure, and moral insight offers modern readers a rich tapestry of intellectual and artistic achievement, celebrating the potential for language and art to illuminate the human condition.
