Ben Jonson's 'Song: To Celia' is a lyrical poem from the English Renaissance that explores the enduring and transcendent nature of love. Employing metaphors, classical allusions, and literary techniques, it contrasts the idealized longing for affection with the reality of unrequited love. The poem's rich imagery and emotional depth highlight love's power to intoxicate and elevate human existence.
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The poem employs the metaphor of love as an intoxicant, more potent than wine
Classical Mythology
The poem references Roman and Greek mythology, particularly the legend of Jove's nectar
The poem utilizes various sound techniques such as rhyme, assonance, and repetition to enhance its impact
The central theme explores the idea that love can surpass physical pleasures and align with the eternal nature of the divine
The poem portrays the bittersweet reality of unrequited love and its lasting influence on the speaker
The poem suggests that love has the power to bestow a sense of immortality upon the lover, even amidst unreturned affection
The poem is composed in a lyrical structure, consisting of two quatrains and two sestets, allowing for a rhythmic expression of the speaker's emotions
The poem follows a consistent ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme and predominantly uses iambic tetrameter, contributing to its musicality and suitability for song
The poem creates a poignant contrast between the speaker's idealized longing for Celia's affection and the unfulfilled nature of his love
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Author of 'Song: To Celia'
Ben Jonson, English Renaissance figure.
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Publication Year and Collection
Published in 1616 within 'The Forest'.
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Literary Devices in 'Song: To Celia'
Metaphor, allusion, symbolism, rhyme, assonance, repetition.
