Ben+Jonson

After serving in the army, he began acting in plays and joined the theatrical company of Philip Henslowe. He also began writing plays, satires, stories, and was even imprisoned for one of his satires for being seditious. In a duel, Jonson killed a fellow actor, and was tried for murder, only to escape his death by pleading benefit of clergy. Not only was Jonson a strong leader and influence on a group of followers called 'Tribe of Ben', he was even the city Chronologer in London in 1628, which was the very same year that he suffered a stroke. Jonson lived a very full life, and died on August 6, 1637, with one of his works still unfinish
 * Ben Jonson** was a man of many trades. Born around June 11, 1572, his life was full of interesting anecdotes. Jonson was educated at Westminister School, and started out his career as a bricklayer, which he did not take to. He then switched to the army, and served in Flanders. However he soon returned to England and married Ann Lewis on November 14, 1594.


 * Walked to Scotland from London.
 * Jonson's poetry marks the serious beginning of that movement in English art, literature, and taste which we know as //neoclassism.//
 * Ben Jonson refered to his most loyal friends and admirers as the "Tibe of Ben." This group consisted of the young writers Rober Herrick, Thomas Carew, and Sir John Suckling.
 * Lost his father, son and daughter.
 * A house in [|Dulwich College] is named after him
 * Since his father died, he was adopted by a Bricklayer.
 * Jonson is buried in [|Westminster Abbey]
 * There are many legends about Jonson's rivalry with [|Shakespeare], some of which may be true.
 * Jonson's reputation was in some respects equal to Shakespeare's in the seventeenth century.
 * Jonson first great success, //[|Every Man in his Humour].//
 * Jonson first great success, //[|Every Man in his Humour].//

1.) What is the tone of the poem " On My First Son?"** We think the tone of the poem was grief and deep personal loss. He lost his very loved son, he questions weather to grieve or envy. Jonson refers to his son as the best peice of poetry. The poem has lots of pain and deep real life meaning. Ben Johnson was a role model and inspiration to the men that followed him. He set examples for them and they appreciated his work. They enjoyed his casual tone and his high standards for perfection in his poetry. Yes, Jonson uses poetry to express his feelings about the losses in his life. He used it when he lost his son, and once again when he lost his daughter. Death is very hard for people to deal with, so Jonson used it to show how he felt. He was able to channel his grief into his writing and was able to relate to people on a very personal level.
 * Essential** **Questions:
 * 2.) What allowed followers to be so devoted?**
 * 3.) Do you think Ben Jonson used poetry to deal with all of his family losses? Why or why not?**

The author Ben Jonson uses poetry to express about the loss of his seven year old son. The tone of the poem is solemn. In the poem he questioned weather to grive or envy his son. He talks about how great his son is, and how much his son ment to him. His referes to his son as the best piece of poetry.
 * "On My First Son"**


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 * Work cites**
 * [|Wikipedia]
 * [|Ben Jonson]
 * Our text books