On Shakespeare - Classic Text | Alexandria
"On Shakespeare" (1630) - A commemorative poem by Ben Jonson stands as one of the most significant literary tributes in English history, appearing as a prefatory verse in the First Folio of Shakespeare's collected works (1623). This elegiac masterpiece represents not only a personal eulogy from one literary giant to another but also serves as a crucial contemporary assessment of Shakespeare's genius and impact on English literature.
The poem emerged during a period of profound cultural transformation in England, as the Jacobean era was drawing to a close and the Caroline period was beginning. Jonson, himself a formidable playwright and poet laureate, composed these verses at a time when Shakespeare's reputation was still being consolidated, merely seven years after the Bard's death. The work's placement in the First Folio helped establish it as a cornerstone of Shakespeare's posthumous legacy.
Originally titled "To the Memory of My Beloved, The Author, Mr. William Shakespeare, and What He Hath Left Us," the poem demonstrates Jonson's complex relationship with Shakespeare, combining genuine admiration with scholarly assessment. Despite their famous artistic rivalry and Jonson's occasional criticism of Shakespeare's work, the poem transcends mere praise to offer a nuanced evaluation of Shakespeare's artistic achievement. Jonson's memorable line "He was not of an age, but for all time!" has become perhaps the most quoted assessment of Shakespeare's enduring relevance.
The poem's legacy extends far beyond its immediate historical context, serving as a foundational text in Shakespeare studies and influencing countless subsequent evaluations of Shakespeare's work. Its sophisticated analysis of Shakespeare's artistic merit, combining classical allusions with personal observation, established a template for literary criticism that resonates to this day. Modern scholars continue to mine the poem for insights into both Shakespeare's contemporary reception and the complex relationship between two of England's greatest literary figures, highlighting the work's unique position as both a personal tribute and a critical assessment that has stood the test of time.
The enduring influence of "On Shakespeare" raises intriguing questions about the nature of artistic legacy and the role of contemporary recognition in establishing literary immortality. How might Shakespeare's reputation have evolved differently without Jonson's powerful endorsement? The poem remains a testament to the power of one artist to shape the legacy of another, while simultaneously illuminating the complex web of personal and professional relationships that defined English Renaissance theater.