renaissance poetry mr. gahagan (click to begin) a good source:

Renaissance PoetryMr. Gahagan

(Click to begin)

A good source: www.luminarium.org

Soul of the age! . . . the wonder of our stage!

--From John Skelton toWilliam Shakespeare

Background Information:

People and EventsPeople and Events

2

Background Information:

Last Rulers of Tudor Last Rulers of Tudor EnglandEnglandKing Henry VIII (1509-1547)Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603)

3

Reigned

Royalty of Tudor Royalty of Tudor EnglandEnglandKing Henry VIII, 1491-1547Catherine of Aragon, 1485-1536* Anne Boleyn, c.1507-1536** Jane Seymour, c.1509-1537*** Anne of Cleves, c.1515-1557 Catherine Howard, c.1520/25-1542 Katherine Parr, c.1512-1548 *Mary I **Elizabeth I ***Edward VI1516-1558 1533-1603 1537-1553

4

Lived

People of Tudor People of Tudor EnglandEngland

King Henry VIII (1509-1547)Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603)

5

In between: 11 years of chaos

Edward VI: (1547-1553)

Lady Jane Gray: (1553: 9 days)

Mary I (1553-1558)

Poets of Tudor Poets of Tudor England:England:

Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603):

6

John Skelton; Thomas Wyatt; the Earl of Surrey

King Henry VIII (1509-1547):

Sir Philip Sidney; Edmund Spenser; Sir Walter Raleigh; Thomas Campion

Christopher Marlowe; Ben Jonson; William Shakespeare

Court Poets

Dramatists

Renaissance Renaissance Poetry:Poetry:More than mere cleverness, “wit” was demonstrated by

7

Wit was the key—

• Intelligence (including math and science)

• Creativity (as demonstrated in the arts)

• Learning (especially, of the classics)

• Insight (into the true nature of the world)

Renaissance Renaissance Poetry:Poetry:

8

As a result, a poem may have—• Paradox(es) (ideas that seem to contradict one another)

• Pun(s) (the use of words’ multiple meanings)

• Irony (usually verbal or situational)

• Conceit(s) (extended comparisons, often between unlike objects)

Poets of Tudor England:Poets of Tudor England:

9

John SkeltonJohn Skelton, 1460-1529, tutor of young , 1460-1529, tutor of young Henry and (self-proclaimed) poet laureate of Henry and (self-proclaimed) poet laureate of England. He left court for a cushy position as a England. He left court for a cushy position as a church rector in Diss, but there he lived with church rector in Diss, but there he lived with his “secret” wife, scandalized the people and his “secret” wife, scandalized the people and was censured by the bishop. His fierce satires was censured by the bishop. His fierce satires attacking the church, including Cardinal attacking the church, including Cardinal Woolsey, put his life in danger; he took Woolsey, put his life in danger; he took sanctuary in Westminster Abbey and was sanctuary in Westminster Abbey and was protected by the abbot until his death.protected by the abbot until his death.



9a

John Skelton, 1460-1529:John Skelton, 1460-1529:

To Mistress Margaret Hussey

Merry Margaret,As midsummer flower,Gentil as falconOr hawk of the tower;

With solace and gladness,Much mirth and no madness,All good and no badness,So joyously,So maidenly,Her demeaningIn every thing,--

demeaning = demeanor

solace = comfort



Far, far passingThat I can enditeOr suffice to writeOf merry Margaret,As midsummer flower,Gentil as falconOr hawk of the tower.

As patient and as stillAnd as full of good willAs fair Isiphill,

Isiphill = Hypsipyle, queen of Lemnos who saved her father when the women put all men to death for unfaithfulness

9b



Coliander,Sweet pomander, Good Cassaunder;Steadfast of thought,Well made, well wrought;Far may be soughtErst that ye can findSo curteise, so kindAs merry Margaret,This midsummer flower,Gentil as falconOr hawk of the tower. 1523

Cassaunder = Cassandra, “she who entangles men,” given the gift of prophecy by Apollo because of her beauty

coliander = coriander, an aromatic seed; pomander—a ball of perfume

9c



Did Skelton attempt to demonstrate any of these characteristics of Renaissance wit?• intelligence• creativity• learning• insight

“Skeltonic Verse”—short lines with rapid, tumbling rhymes, often compared to modern rap

9d



Did his poem include any of these specific characteristics typical of Renaissance poetry?• paradox(es)• pun(s)• irony• conceit(s)

9e


10

Thomas Wyatt,Thomas Wyatt, 1503-1542: poet and 1503-1542: poet and ambassador, he introduced the sonnet (he ambassador, he introduced the sonnet (he translated Plutarch); his poetry was published translated Plutarch); his poetry was published after his death. One of six men accused of after his death. One of six men accused of adultery with Anne Boleyn—and the only one adultery with Anne Boleyn—and the only one to survive—he may have seen Anne’s execution to survive—he may have seen Anne’s execution (1536) from his Tower window. He was (1536) from his Tower window. He was released, returned to favor, was accused again, released, returned to favor, was accused again, was saved by Catherine Howard, was released was saved by Catherine Howard, was released again, and died of illness on court business. again, and died of illness on court business.



10a

Thomas Wyatt, 1503-1542:Thomas Wyatt, 1503-1542:Patience, though I have not

Patience, though I have notThe thing that I require,I must of force, God wot,Forbear my most desire;For no ways can I findTo sail against the wind.

Patience, do what they willTo work me woe or spite,I shall content me stillTo think both day and night,To think and hold my peace,Since there is no redress.

“God wot” = “God knows”


Thomas Wyatt, 1503-1542:Thomas Wyatt, 1503-1542:

Patience, withouten blame,For I offended nought;I know they know the same,Though they have changed their thought.Was ever thought so movedTo hate that it hath loved?

Patience of all my harm,For fortune is my foe;Patience must be the charmTo heal me of my woe:Patience without offenceIs a painful patience.

10b


Thomas Wyatt, 1503-1542:Thomas Wyatt, 1503-1542:

Look again at each stanza; explain the meaning of each “patience” phrase. What events in the poet’s life might have resulted in such a poem?

10c


11

Henry Howard, Earl of SurreyHenry Howard, Earl of Surrey,, 1517-1517-1547: first cousin of Anne Boleyn; put sonnets 1547: first cousin of Anne Boleyn; put sonnets into quatrains; first published blank verse (in his into quatrains; first published blank verse (in his translation of Virgil’s translation of Virgil’s AeneidAeneid). Accused of ). Accused of treason by Henry, who thought he and his father treason by Henry, who thought he and his father were plotting against the succession of Henry’s were plotting against the succession of Henry’s son Edward; he was beheaded a few days son Edward; he was beheaded a few days before Henry’s death. His father lived because before Henry’s death. His father lived because his execution had been scheduled for the day his execution had been scheduled for the day after Henry died.after Henry died.


Poets of Tudor England:Poets of Tudor England:Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, 1517-1547:Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, 1517-1547:

A Praise of His Love Wherein He Reproveth Them that Compare Their Ladies with His

Give place, ye lovers, here beforeThat spent your boasts and brags in vain;My lady’s beauty passeth moreThe best of yours, I dare well sayn,Than doth the sun the candle-light,Or brightest day the darkest night.

11a


Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, 1517-1547:Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, 1517-1547:

And thereto hath a troth as justAs had Penelope the fair;For what she saith, ye may it trust,As it by writing sealed were;And virtues hath she many moThan I with pen have skill to show.

I could rehearse, if that I would,The whole effect of Nature’s plaint,When she had lost the perfect mold,The like to whom she could not paint;With wringing hands how she did cry,And what she said, I know it, I.

11b



Since Nature thus gave her the praise,To be the chiefest work she wrought;In faith, methink, some better waysOn your behalf might well be sought,Than to compare, as ye have done,To match the candle with the sun.

Published 1557

11c



The topic of this poem is conventional and obvious. How is the form of the poem like the work of Wyatt? Does the poem include paradox(es), pun(s), irony or conceit(s)? Does it attempt to demonstrate the poet’s wit? If so, how?

11d

Poets of Tudor Poets of Tudor England:England:

Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603):

12

John Skelton; Thomas Wyatt; the Earl of Surrey


Sir Philip Sidney; Edmund Spenser; Sir Walter Raleigh; Thomas Campion

Christopher Marlowe; Ben Jonson; William Shakespeare

Court Poets

Dramatists


13

Sir Philip SidneySir Philip Sidney,1554-1586: considered the ,1554-1586: considered the “flower of chivalry,” the greatest living courtier, “flower of chivalry,” the greatest living courtier, an accomplished poet, diplomat and soldier. His an accomplished poet, diplomat and soldier. His childhood friend, Fulke Greville, Lord Brooke, (a childhood friend, Fulke Greville, Lord Brooke, (a poet) wrote his biography. Philip Sidney attended poet) wrote his biography. Philip Sidney attended Oxford but completed his education by traveling Oxford but completed his education by traveling throughout Europe; he was as creative as he was throughout Europe; he was as creative as he was educated. His best known works are educated. His best known works are Astrophil and Astrophil and Stella Stella (a cycle of sonnets and songs), and (a cycle of sonnets and songs), and The The Defence of Poesy. Defence of Poesy. He died from a musket wound.He died from a musket wound.

Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603):CourtPoets


Sir Philip Sidney, 1554-1586:Sir Philip Sidney, 1554-1586:From the Fourth Eclogues of Arcadia

Strephon Ye goat-herd gods, that love the grassy mountains, aYe nymphs, which haunt the springs in pleasant valleys, bYe satyrs, joyed with free and quiet forests, cVouchsafe your silent ears to plaining music dWhich to my woes gives still and early morning, eAnd draws the dolour on till weary evening. f

Klaius O Mercury, foregoer of the evening, fO heav'nly huntress of the savage mountains, aO lovely star, entitled of the morning, eWhile that my voice doth fill these woeful valleys, bVouchsafe your silent ears to plaining music, dWhich oft hath Echo tired in secret forests. c

dolour = pain

13a


Sir Philip Sidney, 1554-1586Sir Philip Sidney, 1554-1586

S. I that was once free burgess of the forests, cWhere shade from sun, and sport I sought in evening, fI that was once esteemed for pleasant music, dAm banished now among the monstrous mountains aOf huge despair, and foul affliction's valleys, bAm grown a screech-owl to myself each morning. e

K. I that was once delighted every morning, eHunting the wild inhabiters of forests, cI that was once the music of these valleys, bSo darkened am that all my day is evening, fHeart-broken so, that molehills seem high mountains, aAnd fill the vales with cries instead of music. d

burgess = citizen

vale = valley13b


Sir Philip Sidney, 1554-1586:Sir Philip Sidney, 1554-1586:

S. Long since, alas, my deadly swannish music dHath made itself a crier of the morning, eAnd hath with wailing strength climbed highest mountains. aLong since my thoughts more desert be than forests. cLong since I see my joys come to their evening, fAnd state thrown down to over-trodden valleys. b

K. Long since the happy dwellers of these valleys bHave prayed me leave my strange exclaiming music, dWhich troubles their day's work, and joys of evening. fLong since I hate the night, more hate the morning. eLong since my thoughts chase me like beasts in forests, cAnd make me wish myself laid under mountains. a

“swan song”

13c



S. Meseems I see the high and stately mountains aTransform themselves to low dejected valleys. bMeseems I hear in these ill-changed forests cThe nightingales do learn of owls their music. dMeseems I feel the comfort of the morning eTurned to the mortal serene of an evening. f

K. Meseems I see a filthy cloudy evening fAs soon as sun begins to climb the mountains. aMeseems I feel a noisome scent the morning eWhen I do smell the flowers of these valleys. bMeseems I hear (when I do hear sweet music) dThe dreadful cries of murdered men in forests. c

noisome = obnoxious 13d



S. I wish to fire the trees of all these forests; cI give the sun a last farewell each evening; fI curse the fiddling finders-out of music; dWith envy I do hate the lofty mountains, aAnd with despite despise the humble valleys; bI do detest night, evening, day, and morning. e

K. Curse to myself my prayer is, the morning; eMy fire is more than can be made with forests; cMy state is more base than are the basest valleys; bI wish no evenings more to see, each evening; fShamed, I hate myself in sight of mountains, aAnd stop mine ears lest I grow mad with music. d

13e



S. For she, whose parts maintained a perfect music, dWhose beauties shined more than the blushing morning, eWho much did pass in state the stately mountains, aIn straightness passed the cedars of the forests, cHath cast me, wretch, into eternal evening, fBy taking her two suns from these dark valleys. b

K. For she, with whom compared the Alps are valleys, bShe, whose least word brings from the spheres their music, dAt whose approach the sun rase in the evening, fWho, where she went, bare in her forehead morning, eIs gone, is gone from these our spoiled forests, cTurning to deserts our best pastured mountains. a

13f



S. These mountains witness shall, so shall these valleys, abK. These forests eke, made wretched by our music, cdOur morning hymn this is, and song at evening. ef

The sestina is the most complex of the verse forms invented by the medieval troubadors. In it, the same six words occur at the ends of the lines of six stanzas, but each stanza has a different arrangement; the sestina ends with a three-line stanza. This poem is even more remarkable: a double sestina on a pastoral theme. 13g



A major challenge of the sestina is to make it more than just an intellectual exercise. Otherwise, all the repetition (which must be done in a prescribed pattern) makes for a very monotonous poem. Look at the poem again, paying special attention to how the two speakers relate to one another. In each pair of stanzas, it seems that Klaius tries to outdo Strephon: is this a dirge or a pity party?

13h


14

Edmund SpenserEdmund Spenser,, 1552-1599: a commoner 1552-1599: a commoner who tried to rise through intelligence and with the who tried to rise through intelligence and with the help of others. He was educated at Cambridge help of others. He was educated at Cambridge and eventually worked for the powerful Earl of and eventually worked for the powerful Earl of Leicester; he became an acquaintance of Sir Philip Leicester; he became an acquaintance of Sir Philip Sidney, joining an informal group called the Sidney, joining an informal group called the “Areopagus.” Spenser held various offices in “Areopagus.” Spenser held various offices in Munster (Northern Ireland), where he began Munster (Northern Ireland), where he began The The Faerie Queene, Faerie Queene, his greatest workhis greatest work.. Never able to Never able to get a court appointment, he died in poverty.get a court appointment, he died in poverty.


Poets of TudorPoets of TudorEngland:England:

14a

Edmund Spenser Edmund Spenser 1552-1559:1552-1559:

Amoretti XXX

My Love is like to ice, and I to fire:How comes it then that this her cold so greatIs not dissolved through my so hot desire,But harder grows the more I her entreat?Or how comes it that my exceeding heatIs not allayed by her heart-frozen cold,But that I burn much more in boiling sweat,And feel my flames augmented manifold?What more miraculous thing may be told,That fire, which all things melts, should

harden ice,And ice, which is congeal’d with senseless

cold,Should kindle fire by wonderful device?Such is the power of love in gentle mind,That it can alter all the course of kind.

“love pieces”


Edmund Spenser 1552-1559:Edmund Spenser 1552-1559:

Amoretti XXX

Do you recognize the preceding poem as

• a sonnet?• specifically, an English sonnet?

What word begins the sestet?

Do you recognize the poem as a complaint?

Can you explain the poem’s paradox(es), irony, and conceit(s)? 14b


15

Sir Walter RaleighSir Walter Raleigh,, 1552-1618: famous as a 1552-1618: famous as a courtier, adventurer and poet. Born during the courtier, adventurer and poet. Born during the reign of Mary I, “Bloody Mary,” he developed a reign of Mary I, “Bloody Mary,” he developed a hatred of Catholicism. As captain of the guard, he hatred of Catholicism. As captain of the guard, he foiled a plot against Queen Elizabeth; this resulted foiled a plot against Queen Elizabeth; this resulted in Mary’s execution and Raleigh’s fortune. He led in Mary’s execution and Raleigh’s fortune. He led the early colonization of America and provided a the early colonization of America and provided a massive ship to head the fight against the Spanish massive ship to head the fight against the Spanish Armada. After Elizabeth’s death, he was accused Armada. After Elizabeth’s death, he was accused of a plot against James I and eventually beheaded.of a plot against James I and eventually beheaded.



15a

Sir Walter Raleigh, 1552-1618:Sir Walter Raleigh, 1552-1618:

On the Life of Man

What is our life? a play of passion, Our mirth the musicke of division,Our mothers wombes the tyring houses be, When we are drest for this short Comedy, Heaven the Judicious sharpe spector is,That sits and markes still who doth act amisse, Our graves that hide us from the searching Sun, Are like drawne curtaynes when the play is done, Thus march we playing to our latest rest, Onely we dye in earnest, that's no Jest.

Use of trills, etc., to ad lib variations on a theme


15b

Sir Walter Raleigh, 1552-1618:Sir Walter Raleigh, 1552-1618:

On the Life of Man

Gloss the preceding poem, a conceit, by explaining each word or phrase:• the “musicke of division”• a “tyring house”• a sharp “spector”• “drawn curtaynes when the play is done”

“dressing room” (as, a room for “attire”)

“spectator”

Poets of Tudor and Stuart England:Poets of Tudor and Stuart England:

16

Thomas CampionThomas Campion,, 1567-1620: law student, 1567-1620: law student, physician, composer, writer and poet. He attended physician, composer, writer and poet. He attended Cambridge (but did not graduate), studied law at Cambridge (but did not graduate), studied law at Gray’s Inn (but never practiced), and received a Gray’s Inn (but never practiced), and received a degree in medicine from Caen, France. Supporting degree in medicine from Caen, France. Supporting himself as a London doctor, he also wrote himself as a London doctor, he also wrote masques for King James and published books of masques for King James and published books of lyric poetry, theories of rhyme and music, and lyric poetry, theories of rhyme and music, and translations of Latin verse. His flowing verses and translations of Latin verse. His flowing verses and beautiful melodies made even cliched topics new. beautiful melodies made even cliched topics new.



16a

Thomas Campion, 1567-1620:Thomas Campion, 1567-1620:

I care not for these ladies

I care not for these ladiesThat must be woo'd and pray'dGive me sweet AmaryllisThe wanton country maid,Nature Art disdaineth,Her beauty is her own:

And when we court and kissShe cries 'Forsooth, let go!'But when we come where comfort isShe never will say no.

Forsooth: “in truth” (i.e., “indeed”)

Woo: to beg for affection and, usually, marriage


16b


If I love AmaryllisShe brings me fruit and flowersBut if we love these ladiesWe must bring golden showersGive them gold that sell loveGive me the nut-brown lass

Who when we court and kissShe cries 'Forsooth, let go!'But when we come where comfort isShe never will say no.


16c


These ladies must have pillowsAnd beds by strangers wroughtGive me a bow'r of willowsOf moss and leaves unbought,And fresh AmaryllisOn milk and honey fed,

Who when we court and kissShe cries 'Forsooth, let go!'But when we come where comfort isShe never will say no.

Bower: a shelter formed of tree boughs and/or vines twined together; from that, a shelter or retreat


16d


“Amaryllis,” from a Greek word meaning “to sparkle,” is a girl’s name, from a shepherdess in an eclogue by the Latin poet Virgil.The flower is also known as the “belladonna lilly” or“naked ladies.”



What is a “wanton country maid”? The word “wanton” had a wide range of meanings:1. Immoral or unchaste; lewd. 2.a. Gratuitously cruel; merciless. b. Marked by unprovoked, gratuitous maliciousness; capricious and unjust: wanton destruction. 3. Unrestrainedly excessive: wanton extravagance. 4. Luxuriant; overabundant: wanton tresses. 5. Frolicsome; playful. 6. Spoiled; undisciplined. 7. Rebellious.

You decide the meaning(s). 16e


17

Christopher MarloweChristopher Marlowe,1564-1593: son of a ,1564-1593: son of a Canterbury shoemaker and a father of English Canterbury shoemaker and a father of English tragedy. Two months older than Shakespeare, tragedy. Two months older than Shakespeare, Marlowe established himself as Marlowe established himself as thethe writer of writer of drama in 1587 with the epic double play drama in 1587 with the epic double play Tamburlaine Tamburlaine (two five-act plays);(two five-act plays); he followed he followed with three other masterpieces: with three other masterpieces: Dr. Faustus, The Dr. Faustus, The Jew of Malta, Jew of Malta, and and Edward II. Edward II. Marlowe was Marlowe was Shakespeare’s rival, friend, and mentor, in drama Shakespeare’s rival, friend, and mentor, in drama and poetry, until his early death in a tavern brawl.and poetry, until his early death in a tavern brawl.

Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603):Dramatists

Madrigal: a song, usually for 3-6 voices, often unaccompanied


17a

Christopher Marlowe, 1564-1593:Christopher Marlowe, 1564-1593:

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love

Come live with me and be my love,And we will all the pleasures proveThat hills and valleys, dale and field,And all the craggy mountains yield.

There will we sit upon the rocks,And see the shepherds feed their flocks,By shallow rivers to whose fallsMelodious birds sing madrigals.

Prove: to test, as an artist makes proofs

before printing


17b


There I will make thee beds of rosesAnd a thousand fragrant posies,A cap of flowers, and a kirtleEmbroider'd all with leaves of myrtle;

A gown made of the finest woolWhich from our pretty lambs we pull;Fair linèd slippers for the cold,With buckles of the purest gold;

Kirtle: a gown, often sleeveless, laced and worn

over a chemise or a simple shift


17c


A belt of straw and ivy buds,With coral clasps and amber studs;And if these pleasures may thee move,Come live with me, and be my love.

Thy silver dishes for thy meatAs precious as the gods do eat,Shall on an ivory table bePrepared each day for thee and me.

Describe the speaker of this poem. In particular, does he seem sincere or cynical? Idealistic or realistic? What other traits seem evident? (Consider diction, the speaker’s choice of words.) What, if anything, can we tell about the shepherd’s lover?

Swain: an admirer or lover; a country

youth (from “swineherd”


17d


The shepherd swains shall dance and singFor thy delight each May-morning:If these delights thy mind may move,Then live with me and be my love.

c. 1588 (published 1599)

Philomel: a conventional allusion to a

nightingale, from a Latin version

of the Greek myth of

Philomel and Procne


17e

A response by Sir Walter Raleigh:A response by Sir Walter Raleigh:

The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd

If all the world and love were young, And truth in every shepherd's tongue, These pretty pleasures might me moveTo live with thee and be thy love.

Time drives the flocks from field to fold,When rivers rage and rocks grow cold;And Philomel becometh dumb; The rest complains of cares to come.


17f

Sir Walter Raleigh:Sir Walter Raleigh:

The flowers do fade, and wanton fields To wayward winter reckoning yields: A honey tongue, a heart of gall, Is fancy's spring, but sorrow's fall.

The gowns, thy shoes, thy beds of roses, Thy cap, thy kirtle, and thy posies Soon break, soon wither, soon forgotten,— In folly ripe, in reason rotten.


17g


Thy belt of straw and ivy buds, Thy coral clasps and amber studs, All these in me no means can move To come to thee and be thy love.

But could youth last and love still breed, Had joys no date nor age no need, Then these delights my mind might move To live with thee and be thy love.

c. 1596


17h


The flowers do fade, and wanton fields To wayward winter reckoning yields: A honey tongue, a heart of gall, Is fancy's spring, but sorrow's fall.

Look at the above stanza. Remember the word “wanton”? Which meaning applies here?1. Immoral or unchaste; lewd. 2.a. Gratuitously cruel; merciless. b. Marked by unprovoked, gratuitous maliciousness; capricious and unjust: wanton destruction. 3. Unrestrainedly excessive: wanton extravagance. 4. Luxuriant; overabundant: wanton tresses. 5. Frolicsome; playful. 6. Spoiled; undisciplined. 7. Rebellious.


17i

Sir Walter Raleigh:Sir Walter Raleigh:The flowers do fade, and wanton fields To wayward winter reckoning yields: A honey tongue, a heart of gall, Is fancy's spring, but sorrow's fall.

Raleigh did not create the third line; it was a saying (with variations) in many European languages. In French, for example, people said Bouche de miel, coeur de fiel. The Romans centuries before said Ubi mel, ibi fel (“where honey, there is gall”)—a favorite saying of Martin Luther.Also, explain the pun(s) in the fourth line.

Gall: bitterness and/or anger


18

Ben JonsonBen Jonson,1572-1637: orphan, bricklayer, ,1572-1637: orphan, bricklayer, soldier, actor and writer. Jonson was soldier, actor and writer. Jonson was Shakespeare’s longest competitor and, like Shakespeare’s longest competitor and, like Shakespeare, a writer of both tragedies and Shakespeare, a writer of both tragedies and comedies. Jonson also wrote successful masques, comedies. Jonson also wrote successful masques, elaborate entertainments for the royal court. His elaborate entertainments for the royal court. His hot temper often got him in trouble: he killed an hot temper often got him in trouble: he killed an actor in a duel and was nearly executed. When actor in a duel and was nearly executed. When Shakespeare died, Jonson wrote “To the Memory Shakespeare died, Jonson wrote “To the Memory of My Beloved Master, William Shakespeare.”of My Beloved Master, William Shakespeare.”



18a

Ben Jonson, 1572-1637:Ben Jonson, 1572-1637:

On the Portrait of Shakespeare To the Reader:

This figure that thou here seest put, It was for gentle SHAKSPEARE cut, Wherein the graver had a strife With nature, to out-do the life : O could he but have drawn his wit As well in brass, as he has hit His face; the print would then surpass All that was ever writ in brass: But since he cannot, reader, look Not on his picture, but his book.


18b

Ben Jonson, 1572-1637: Ben Jonson, 1572-1637: On My First DaughterHere lies, to each her parents' ruth, Mary, the daughter of their youth; Yet all heaven's gifts being heaven's due, It makes the father less to rue. At six months' end, she parted hence With safety of her innocence; Whose soul heaven's queen, whose name she bears, In comfort of her mother's tears, Hath placed amongst her virgin-train: Where, while that severed doth remain, This grave partakes the fleshly birth; Which cover lightly, gentle earth!

ruth: compassion, sorrow , or grief,


19

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare,1564-1616: almost ,1564-1616: almost without exception, considered the world’s greatest without exception, considered the world’s greatest writer—unquestionably, the greatest ever to write writer—unquestionably, the greatest ever to write in English. We know his career was established in in English. We know his career was established in London by 1592, when the famous “upstart crow” London by 1592, when the famous “upstart crow” insult was directed at him by Robert Greene, a insult was directed at him by Robert Greene, a jealous and bitter rival. By 1611 he had retired as jealous and bitter rival. By 1611 he had retired as a solo playwright, although following that he a solo playwright, although following that he wrote at least two plays in collaboration with John wrote at least two plays in collaboration with John Fletcher: Fletcher: Henry VIIIHenry VIII and and The Two Noble Kinsmen.The Two Noble Kinsmen.


Renaissance PoetryMr. Gahagan

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