from
Underwoods
Ben Jonson
Ben Jonson
1572-1637
Paul Rainer
 Jonson was a poet, essayist, and playwright who also worked as an
actor for Philip Henslowe’s theater company.
 Under King James I’s patronage, Jonson wrote most of his famous
satirical plays and was granted a pension of 100 marks a year;
consequently, he is often called England’s first Poet Laureate.
 He had many followers, one of which was called the “Tribe of Ben.”
These followers/writers are often referred to as the Cavalier/Carpe
Diem poets. Jonson was also friends with Shakespeare, John Donne
and Francis Bacon.
Context
Jonson wrote this poem for a dear friend, Henry Morrison, who died of
small pox at a young age. This poem celebrates his brief life.
from
Underwoods
It is not growing like a tree
In bulk, doth make man better be;
Or standing long an oak, three hundred year,
To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere:
A lily of a day
Is fairer far in May,
Although it fall and die that night;
It was the plant and flower of light.
In small proportions we just beauties see;
And in short measures life may perfect be.
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Content
Life is more like a lily than a tree because, although life may be short,
there is beauty and moments of perfection in it; thus, the quality of life is
more important than the quantity.
Structure
 This poem is extracted from a longer Ode.
 The poem is comprised of rhyming couplets that expand
and contract to reflect the idea embodied in the line(s).
 A series of iambs varies in beats, but concludes with the
longest lines written in iambic pentameter.
 The poem is short, which reflects the theme of the poem.
“Not” reveals the speaker’s
disapproval with the “oak” and
its “standing long.”
Enjambment in line 1 stresses the
bulk or earthly power of trees.
It is not growing like a tree
In bulk, doth make man better be;
Or standing long an oak, three hundred year,
To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere:
The imagery
shows a beautiful,
old tree falling and
becoming an ugly,
“bald” log.
Extended metaphor of
oak reverses usual symbol
of strength and stability.
Inverted syntax of “a
log” places the emphasis
on the “fall” of the tree.
The “oak”
symbolizes deep
roots and
longevity. Thus,
endurance does
not make life
better.
Caesura stresses fall
of tree that regardless
of power or
endurance, still dies.
Alliteration of “b” sound reinforces
idea of “bulk” and focuses
attention on a quantity.
The lily symbolizes purity or majesty and is considered
the birth flower of May. It is also a flower often chosen
for a funeral.
May is considered the birth month, the beginning of
spring.
The couplet in lines 5 and 6 is the
shortest in meter to represent the
short life of the lily. It also marks
the shift of the poem.
A lily of a day
Is fairer far in May,
Although it fall and die that night;
It was the plant and flower of light.
The metaphor of the lily begins with “it,” which states directly
that the lily “was the…flower of light.”
The final couplet emphasizes “night” as the end of the lily’s life cycle, which then
reinforces “light” as the flower’s positive energy and moment of beauty.
This abbreviated cycle of life contains more beauty than the tree’s enduring life
span.
Jonson’s choice of diction with “beauties” and
“perfect” compliment his deceased friend.
The final couplet reinforces Jonson’s
message that greatness, nobility, or
perfection may not be found in what is
obvious, but rather in “small proportions”
like the lily.
In small proportions we just beauties see;
And in short measures life may perfect be.
Choice of diction with “just” and
“may” reveals the opportunities
inherit in life, even abbreviated ones.
Themes
 A long life lived in vain is less
noble or worthy than a short
life lived to its fullest.
 Life does not have to offer
obvious substance to be
enjoyed.
 When searching for beauty,
one does not need to look for
the obvious.
 Life’s most rewarding
experiences may be found in
transient moments.
 The quality of one’s life is
more important than the
quantity of life.
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Roxy Paine
Works Cited
http://aspoetryanalysis.weebly.com/index.html
http://www.cieliterature.com/2014/06/20/from-underwoods/
http://www.eliteskills.com/analysis_poetry
http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/ben-jonson
http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/7-10-12/60422.html