“On My First Son” by Ben Jonson: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “On My First Son” by Ben Jonson

“On My First Son” by Ben Jonson was first published in 1616 in a collection of his works titled Epigrams. The poem is an elegy, a lament for the death of his seven-year-old son. It is characterized by its deeply personal and emotional tone, expressing the raw grief and despair of a parent’s loss. The poem is also notable for its use of plain language and direct address, which enhances the sense of intimacy and emotional authenticity. Despite its brevity, “On My First Son” is a powerful and poignant meditation on mortality, love, and the fleeting nature of human happiness.

Text: “On My First Son” by Ben Jonson

Annotations: “On My First Son” by Ben Jonson

Line	Annotation
Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy;	The speaker bids farewell to his son, addressing him as a source of joy and a part of himself (“child of my right hand”).
My sin was too much hope of thee, lov’d boy.	The speaker reflects that his sin was having too high hopes for his son’s future, and that he loved him too much.
Seven years tho’ wert lent to me, and I thee pay,	The speaker acknowledges that his son was only “lent” to him for seven years, and that he must now “pay” the price of losing him.
Exacted by thy fate, on the just day.	The speaker accepts that his son’s fate was predetermined and that the day of his death was ordained.
O, could I lose all father now!	The speaker wishes he could relinquish his paternal feelings and the grief that comes with them.
For why Will man lament the state he should envy?	The speaker questions why people mourn the loss of loved ones when they should instead envy the fact that they are no longer subject to the sufferings of the world.
To have so soon ‘scap’d world’s and flesh’s rage,	The speaker notes that his son has escaped the turmoil and corruption of the world, as well as the weaknesses of human flesh.
And if no other misery, yet age?	The speaker adds that his son has also been spared the misery of growing old.
Rest in soft peace, and, ask’d, say, “Here doth lie	The speaker bids his son to rest in peace, and imagines that if asked, his son’s grave would say…
Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry.”	…that the son was the best creation (or “poetry”) of Ben Jonson.
For whose sake henceforth all his vows be such,	The speaker vows to make promises (or “vows”) in the future that are tempered by the knowledge of his son’s mortality.
As what he loves may never like too much.	The speaker hopes that he will never love anything too much, lest he suffer the same pain of loss again.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “On My First Son” by Ben Jonson

Literary/Poetic Device	Example from the Poem	Explanation
Apostrophe	“Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy;”	A direct address to an absent person or thing, in this case, the deceased son.
Assonance	“Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy;”	Repetition of vowel sounds within words, creating a sense of unity and flow.
Caesura	“Seven years tho’ wert lent to me, and I thee pay,”	A natural pause or break within a line of poetry, often indicated by punctuation.
Chiasmus	“Exacted by thy fate, on the just day.”	A reversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases or clauses.
Consonance	“Rest in soft peace“	Repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words, creating a sense of harmony.
Elegy	The entire poem	A mournful poem, especially a lament for the dead.
Enjambment	“My sin was too much hope of thee, lov’d boy. Seven years tho’ wert lent to me, and I thee pay,”	The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next, creating a sense of fluidity.
Epigram	The entire poem can be considered an epigram	A short, witty, and often satirical poem.
Euphemism	“Exacted by thy fate, on the just day.”	A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.
Hyperbole	“O, could I lose all father now!”	Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
Irony	“Will man lament the state he should envy?”	The expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
Metaphor	“Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry.”	A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.
Metonymy	“world’s and flesh’s rage”	A figure of speech in which a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with that thing or concept.
Paradox	“Will man lament the state he should envy?”	A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
Personification	“world’s and flesh’s rage”	The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman.
Rhetorical Question	“Will man lament the state he should envy?”	A question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer.
Symbolism	“child of my right hand”	The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
Synecdoche	“child of my right hand”	A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa.

Themes: “On My First Son” by Ben Jonson

1. Grief and Loss: In “On My First Son,” Ben Jonson poignantly expresses the profound grief and sorrow he feels at the death of his seven-year-old son. The poem opens with a heart-wrenching farewell, highlighting the depth of his attachment and the painful void left by the child’s absence. Jonson’s grief is palpable as he laments over the loss, revealing the intense emotional bond he shared with his son and the personal anguish he endures.
2. Parental Love and Hope: The theme of parental love and hope is evident in Jonson’s reflection on his relationship with his son. He refers to his son as the “child of my right hand, and joy,” illustrating the deep affection and pride he felt. However, Jonson also acknowledges his “sin” of having too much hope for his son’s future, indicating that his expectations and dreams for his child were significant and cherished, making the loss even more poignant.
3. Mortality and Acceptance: Jonson grapples with the inevitability of death and the necessity of acceptance in the face of mortality. He recognizes that his son was “lent” to him for only seven years and that this period was preordained. The poem reflects a struggle between the natural human desire to mourn and the philosophical understanding that death is an escape from the sufferings of the world, as he questions why man laments what he should envy.
4. Art and Legacy: The poem also touches on the theme of art and legacy. Jonson refers to his son as his “best piece of poetry,” suggesting that his child represents his finest creation and the most meaningful part of his life. This metaphor underscores the enduring nature of his son’s memory and the way in which he will continue to live on through Jonson’s loving remembrance, much like a cherished piece of art or poetry that outlasts its creator.

Literary Theories and “On My First Son” by Ben Jonson

Literary Theory	Explanation	References from the Poem
Psychoanalytic Theory	This theory explores the emotional depth and subconscious motivations behind Jonson’s grief.	Jonson’s intense grief and sense of loss are evident in lines such as “Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy” and “O, could I lose all father now!” which reflect his inner turmoil.
New Historicism	This theory examines the poem in the context of the time period and Jonson’s personal history.	Understanding the societal and personal impact of child mortality in the 17th century is crucial. Jonson’s reference to his son as “lov’d boy” and “Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry” provides insights into his personal and cultural context.
Formalism	This theory focuses on the poem’s structure, language, and use of literary devices.	The poem’s meticulous structure and use of metaphor and personification are significant. For instance, Jonson calling his son “my best piece of poetry” highlights his use of literary devices to convey deep emotions.

Critical Questions about “On My First Son” by Ben Jonson

• How does Jonson navigate the tension between grief and acceptance in the poem?
• The poem opens with an outpouring of grief, addressing his son directly as “thou child of my right hand, and joy.” However, as the poem progresses, Jonson shifts towards acceptance, recognizing that his son has escaped the “world’s and flesh’s rage” and achieved a state of peace he himself might envy. This tension is further explored through the rhetorical question, “Will man lament the state he should envy?” suggesting a struggle to reconcile personal loss with a broader understanding of life and death.
• What is the significance of Jonson referring to his son as his “best piece of poetry”?
•  This metaphor serves multiple purposes. It highlights the value Jonson placed on his son, elevating him to the status of his most prized creation. Additionally, it immortalizes the son within the poem itself, ensuring his memory lives on through art. This also speaks to the power of poetry to transcend death and provide solace in grief.
• How does the poem explore the theme of excessive attachment?
• Jonson identifies his “sin” as having too much hope for his son, suggesting that his love was perhaps too intense. The closing lines, “As what he loves may never like too much,” serve as a lesson learned from this experience, cautioning against placing excessive emotional investment in any one person or thing, as it can lead to profound pain when loss occurs.
• What is the role of religious and philosophical ideas in the poem?
• The poem alludes to Christian concepts like sin and fate, but also grapples with broader philosophical questions about life’s purpose and the nature of happiness. The juxtaposition of these ideas creates a complex exploration of grief, suggesting that personal loss can lead to deeper reflections on existential matters. The poem’s conclusion, with its vow to moderate future attachments, could be interpreted as a stoic response to life’s uncertainties.

Literary Works Similar to “On My First Son” by Ben Jonson

1. “On My First Daughter” by Ben Jonson: Similarity: This poem shares a direct thematic connection with “On My First Son,” as Jonson also writes about the death of his child. It reflects on the sorrow and grief of losing his six-month-old daughter, mirroring the deep parental love and loss expressed in “On My First Son.”
2. “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” by John Donne: Similarity: Although primarily about the separation of lovers, this poem delves into themes of loss and the enduring nature of love beyond physical presence. Like Jonson’s work, Donne’s poem reflects on the emotional and spiritual aspects of separation and mourning.
3. “To an Unborn Pauper Child” by Thomas Hardy: Similarity: Hardy’s poem contemplates the fate and suffering that awaits a child in a harsh world, echoing Jonson’s reflection on mortality and the idea that death might be an escape from worldly suffering, as suggested in “On My First Son.”
4. “Little Boy Blue” by Eugene Field: Similarity: This poem mourns the loss of a young child and the sorrow that follows. Field’s nostalgic and tender reflection on the child’s absence is similar to Jonson’s heartfelt farewell to his son, focusing on the innocence and joy lost with the child’s passing.
5. “Remember” by Christina Rossetti: Similarity: Rossetti’s poem is a meditation on memory and loss, urging the reader to remember her fondly after her death. This theme resonates with Jonson’s desire for his son to be remembered as his “best piece of poetry,” highlighting the enduring impact of the deceased on the living.

Suggested Readings: “On My First Son” by Ben Jonson

Representative Quotations of “On My First Son” by Ben Jonson

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“My sin was too much hope of thee, lov’d boy.”	The speaker reflects on his feelings for his son.	Psychoanalytic: The speaker’s guilt and regret reveal the intense emotional investment he had in his son’s life, highlighting the complexities of paternal love.
“Seven years tho’ wert lent to me, and I thee pay”	The speaker acknowledges the fleeting nature of life.	Existentialist: The speaker confronts the reality of mortality, recognizing that life is short and can be taken away at any moment.
“O, could I lose all father now!”	The speaker wishes to relinquish his paternal feelings.	Poststructuralist: The speaker’s desire to shed his paternal identity highlights the socially constructed nature of roles and emotions, revealing the fluidity of identity.
“To have so soon ‘scap’d world’s and flesh’s rage”	The speaker notes his son’s escape from worldly suffering.	Religious: The speaker frames his son’s death as a salvation from the corruption and pain of the world, reflecting a Christian belief in the afterlife.
“Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry”	The speaker eulogizes his son as his greatest creation.	Humanist: The speaker’s tribute to his son emphasizes the value of human life and creativity, highlighting the importance of art and legacy.