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Ben Jonsnon-
The poem is in a way a mini love song. The poet is so in love that he thinks the woman is so special she can keep a rosy wreath alive, but the poem also shows how love can sometimes let us down due to too high of expectations.
(Shmoop Editorial Team, 2008)
The attitude is romantic and desperate. The poet is in love and is trying to convince his lover to express her love to him and prove that she can commit.
The shift comes after the first stanza.
It shifts from talking about love to talkingabout disappointment. It almost seems angry frustrated.
The title suggests that it is a song.
Drink to me, only with your eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss in the cup,
And I won't look for wine.
The thirst that comes from the soul does rise.
And asks for a divine drink.
But if I drink of Jove's nectar,
I would not trade you for it.
I sent you a late rosy wreath.
Not as honoring to you
As giving it hope, that there
it could not be withered.
But you only breathed on it
And sent it back to me,
Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,
Not of itself, but you.
taDUM taDUM taDUM (Fineman, 2009)
ABCBABCB
DEFEDEFE
(Fineman, 2009)
Analysis of "Song: to Celia" By Ben Jonson
AICE English Literature 1
Mrs. Beth Williams
Period 3
April 2, 2014
The poet uses the rosy wreath as a symbol of the high expectations and disapointment that often come with love.
"I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
Not so much honouring thee
As giving it a hope, that there
It could not withered be." (9-12)
He is so in love with her that he beleives she can keep the rosy wreath alive.
In the first stanza the poet is using metaphors to allude that he needs his lover to commit acts of love to show that she is committed to him. (1-8)
Imploring & Solemn
List of Sources Cited
Fineman K. R. April 24, 2009. Song: To Celia By Ben Johnson. Writing and Ruminating. Retrieved from
http://kellyrfineman.livejournal.com/414043.html
Jokinen, A. (2003) Life of Ben Jonson. Luminarium. March 31, Retreived from
http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/jonson/benbio.htm
Shmoop Editorial Team. (2008, November 11). Song to Celia ("Drink to me only with thine eyes") Theme of Love.
Retrieved from
http://www.shmoop.com/to-celia/love-theme.html
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.