“Song: To Celia” by Ben Jonson: A Critical Analysis

Drink to me only with thine eyes,

         And I will pledge with mine;

Or leave a kiss but in the cup,

         And I’ll not look for wine.

The thirst that from the soul doth rise

         Doth ask a drink divine;

But might I of Jove’s nectar sup,

         I would not change for thine.

I sent thee late a rosy wreath,

         Not so much honouring thee

As giving it a hope, that there

         It could not withered be.

But thou thereon didst only breathe,

         And sent’st it back to me;

Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,

         Not of itself, but thee.

1. Idealized Love

The poem celebrates the concept of love as a pure, idealized connection that transcends physical desires. The speaker expresses his devotion through metaphors of spiritual communion, such as “Drink to me only with thine eyes, / And I will pledge with mine,” emphasizing the depth of emotional and soulful connection over material or sensual indulgence. Even the divine pleasure symbolized by “Jove’s nectar” pales in comparison to the fulfillment found in Celia’s affection. This theme underscores the poet’s portrayal of love as an elevated, almost sacred bond.

2. Transcendence of Material Desires

Ben Jonson highlights the superiority of emotional and spiritual connections over material pleasures. The speaker values a “kiss but in the cup” above physical wine, illustrating that love and emotional gestures provide a “drink divine” far surpassing any earthly indulgence. By rejecting “Jove’s nectar” in favor of Celia’s love, the speaker asserts that true fulfillment lies in the intangible aspects of human affection, elevating love to an otherworldly status.

3. The Power of Transformation

The poem portrays love’s transformative ability through the imagery of the rosy wreath. The speaker sends the wreath to Celia, hoping it would gain immortality through her presence: “Not so much honouring thee / As giving it a hope, that there / It could not withered be.” Celia’s act of breathing on the wreath imbues it with her essence, causing it to grow and exude her fragrance. This transformation symbolizes how love and affection can profoundly affect the mundane, rendering it extraordinary and eternal.

4. Immortalization of Love

Jonson explores how love and affection can confer immortality through symbolic acts and poetic expression. The speaker’s declaration that the wreath “smells, I swear, / Not of itself, but thee” signifies how Celia’s influence transcends physical limitations, immortalizing her presence. The act of creating poetry about this love further cements its eternal nature. The poem, through its lyrical beauty, ensures that the speaker’s devotion to Celia remains timeless.

1. How does the poem define the nature of love?

“Song: To Celia” portrays love as a transcendent, spiritual connection that surpasses material or physical desires. The speaker’s preference for “a kiss but in the cup” over wine symbolizes a love that is rooted in emotional and soulful fulfillment rather than corporeal indulgence. Furthermore, the line “The thirst that from the soul doth rise / Doth ask a drink divine” elevates love to a near-sacred status, suggesting it is a divine gift rather than a human construct. This raises questions about the poet’s intent to redefine love as an ethereal force rather than a tangible experience.

2. What role does classical mythology play in the poem?

The reference to “Jove’s nectar” connects the poem to the realm of classical mythology, where nectar symbolizes immortality and divine pleasure. By claiming, “But might I of Jove’s nectar sup, / I would not change for thine,” the speaker elevates Celia’s love above even the highest pleasures of the gods. This allusion prompts an inquiry into how mythology serves to universalize and magnify the speaker’s personal emotions, linking his individual experience to broader, timeless themes of divine love.

3. How does the poem explore the theme of immortality?

The poem suggests that love has the power to grant immortality, as seen in the transformation of the rosy wreath. When the speaker states, “Since when it grows, and smells, I swear, / Not of itself, but thee,” he attributes the wreath’s vitality and fragrance to Celia’s essence. This imagery explores how love not only transcends time but also imparts life and meaning to otherwise ephemeral objects, inviting readers to consider whether love can indeed immortalize both the lover and the beloved.

4. In what ways does the poem address the interplay between material and spiritual devotion?

The speaker juxtaposes material gifts, like the “rosy wreath,” with intangible expressions of love, such as “Drink to me only with thine eyes.” By doing so, he demonstrates a preference for spiritual devotion over material offerings, viewing the former as a purer and more enduring form of connection. This interplay prompts an analysis of how the poem critiques societal norms of courtly love, where tangible displays of affection often overshadow emotional sincerity.