Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Thomas Randolph was an English poet and dramatist who lived in the 17th century. "An Answer to Ben Jonson's Ode, to Persuade Him Not to Leave the Stage" is a poem that was published in 1631.

Context:

The 17th century was a time of great social and political change in England, with the English Civil War and the Restoration of the monarchy. The literary scene was dominated by the metaphysical poets and the Cavalier poets. Ben Jonson was a prominent playwright and poet of the time, and Randolph was a young poet who admired him. The poem reflects the influence of Jonson's work on Randolph's poetry.

Content:

The poem is a direct response to Ben Jonson's ode "To Himself," in which Jonson reflects on his career as a playwright and expresses a desire to retire from the stage. In "An Answer to Ben Jonson's Ode," the speaker urges Jonson not to retire, but rather to continue writing and contributing to English drama. The poem is written in the form of a persuasive argument, with the speaker presenting a series of reasons why Jonson should continue to write for the stage.

The poem opens with a direct address to Jonson, with the speaker acknowledging Jonson's greatness as a playwright and poet. The speaker then goes on to argue that Jonson's contributions to English drama are too important to be abandoned. The speaker describes the theater as a "nursery of arts," where actors and playwrights can develop and refine their skills. The speaker also describes the theater as a "precious monument" that should be preserved for future generations.

The speaker goes on to argue that Jonson's retirement would be a loss not only to English drama, but to Jonson himself. The speaker suggests that Jonson's work on the stage is a part of his identity, and that giving it up would be a loss of something essential. The speaker also suggests that Jonson's work as a playwright is a valuable form of intellectual and artistic labor, one that deserves to be recognized and celebrated.

Form:

The poem consists of 30 lines of regular meter and rhyme. It is written in a formal, elevated style, with a focus on the theme of the value of theater. The poem's structure is carefully crafted to build to a climax, with the final lines expressing the speaker's celebration of Jonson's contributions to English drama.

Poetic Elements:

The poem makes use of metaphor and symbolism to convey the theme of the value of theater, including the image of the theater as a "nursery of arts" and the idea of drama as a "precious monument." Randolph also uses allusion to Jonson's work, including references to his plays and poetry. The poem also features a number of poetic devices, including imagery, figurative language, and rhetorical questions.

Summary:

The poem is a celebration of the value of theater and the importance of preserving the traditions of English drama. It is notable for its use of metaphor and allusion, as well as its focus on the theme of the value of theater. The poem is a reflection of Randolph's admiration for Ben Jonson and his interest in the traditions of English drama. Overall, the poem is a well-crafted response to Jonson's ode, urging him not to give up his career as a playwright and celebrating his contributions to English drama.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...