1. Ben
Jonso
n

2. Ben Jonson
• 1572-1637
• Brilliant poet, impressive soldier
• Friend & rival of John Donne,
William Shakespeare
• Drama
– Jailed for being in a play
– Almost hanged for killing another actor
in a duel
– Suspected of plotting against the king

3. Ben Jonson
• Admired, influential
– Self-confident The Works of
Benjamin Jonson (style of title used
for celebrated ancient authors)
• Satire, wit, clear/direct

4. Epigrams
• Short poems in which the writer
strives for brevity, clarity, and
permanence
– Like mottos or memorable sayings
• Features:
– Short lines with bouncy rhythms
– Paradoxical twists
– Parallel phrases
• Ex.: “Only they know, only they care”

5. Archaic Words:
Words no longer in general use
thou………………….you
thy….…………………your
thine.…………………yours
wast.………………….were
wert…………………..were
hast..………………….have
hath……………………has
dost……………………do
doth……………………does

6. “On My First Son”
Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy;
My sin was too much hope of thee, loved boy,
Seven years thou wert lent to me, and I thee
pay,
Exacted by thy fate, on the just day,
Oh, could I lose all father now. For why
Will man lament the state he should envy?
To have so soon scaped world's and flesh's
rage,
And, if no other misery, yet age?
Rest in soft peace, and, asked, say here doth lie
Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry.

7. “Still to Be Neat”
Still to be neat, still to be dressed,
As you were going to a feast;
Still to be powdered, still perfumed;
Lady, it is to be presumed,
Though art's hid causes are not found,
All is not sweet, all is not sound.
Give me a look, give me a face,
That makes simplicity a grace;
Robes loosely flowing, hair as free;
Such sweet neglect more taketh me
Than all th’ adulteries of art;
They strike mine eyes, but not my

8. On back of notes handout…
• Choose a side:
“Neat” vs. “Sweet Neglect”
• Make 3 points to support your
case.
(Why one is better than the other)
20
• What methods would you
employ/what evidence would you
use to convince someone your