– Ben Jonson
- Discuss the aptness of the title. The Noble Nature of the poem.
The poem, The Noble Nature, was written by Ben Jonson, who is a very popular playwright and regarded as the second most popular next to Shakespeare. He is popular with his comedy of humours like “Everyman in His Humour.” The poet, Ben Jonson, tries to seek an explanation to what makes a man’s life noble. The core meaning of the poem centres around this single idea. The poet says, in his ten lines, “Man better be; and life perfect be”.
He advises one to lead a meaningful life like that of a lily. Thus, he clearly envisages what makes a man better. To emphasize his point, he cites the work and nature of a lily. Hence, the title, The Noble Nature is apt.
2) Bulk does not make Man better be. How does the oak support this stand?
The poem. The Noble Nature, was written by Ben Jonson, who is a very popular playwright and regarded as the second most popular next to Shakespeare. He is popular with his comedy of humours like “Everyman in His Humour.” The poet, Ben Jonson, tries to seek an explanation to what makes a man’s life noble. The core meaning of the poem centres around this single idea. The poet says, in his ten lines,
“Man better be; and life perfect be”.
The poet exhorts man to lead a noble life which he symbolizes or equates to that of a lily. Though lily lives a very short while, it attracts millions with its charm and beauty. Similarly, according to the poet, Matter matters, not the magnitude.
In this regard, he cites an example of an oak tree which lives for many years and grows much taller but ends up as a dry, bald log. Hence, he reiterates that life should be nobler than being longer.
3) Explain with the example of the lily that size matters not but beauty counts a lot.
The poem, The Noble Nature, was written by Ben Jonson, who is a very popular playwright and regarded as the second most popular next to Shakespeare. He is popular with his comedy of humours like “Everyman in His Humour.” The poet, Ben Jonson, tries to seek an explanation to what makes a man’s life noble. The core meaning of the poem centres around this single idea. The poet says, in his ten lines, Man better be; and life perfect be”.
The poet Ben Jonson reiterates the fact that life should be nobler than being longer. “Matter matters, not the magnitude.” In order to substantiate his point, he gives the vivid example of the lily flower though it lives a very short-while, it attracts millions with its beauty and charm. Hence, size does matter, length does not matter but being noble in life matters. So, one has to lead a noble life like a lily b taking small measures.