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A Father's Grief: Ben Jonson's Heartfelt Farewell to His Beloved Son

In "On My First Sonne," Ben Jonson expresses profound sorrow following the death of his seven-year-old son, Ben. This poignant elegy reflects deep emotions of loss, love, and the struggle against despair. Jonson grapples with the ideas of fate and the nature of death, exploring themes of hope and the pain of parting. The poem’s use of euphemism offers comfort, framing death as an escape from life's struggles. Through this work, the author poignantly articulates the complexities of paternal love and the anguish of losing a child.

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A Father's Grief: Ben Jonson's Heartfelt Farewell to His Beloved Son

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  1. On my first sonne Ben Jonson (1616)

  2. A gift from heaven Addressed to his dead son His son’s name was Ben, Hebrew for “right hand” Bidding goodbye What was the sin? The hand of god Died at 7 years What emotion is portrayed by the “O”? Hoped for so much, but fate made him pay Questions why we should fear death Escaped the pain of growing old Gone to a better place Euphemism, makes death sound comforting Wants to avoid being hurt again so much On my first sonne  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. For whose sake henceforth all his vows be such As what he loves may never like too much.

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