Monday, March 9, 2009

"To the memory of my beloved master, William Shakespeare"

"To the memory of my beloved master, William Shakespeare," by Ben Jonson (1623)

Written in heroic couplets. Thick with comparisons to prominent poets, especially classical.

The source of many famous quotes on Shakespeare:
-"He was not of an age, but for all time"
-"Soul of the age"
-"Thou art a monument without a tomb"
-"For a good poet's made, as well as born"
-"Sweet Swan of Avon"

*This poem is an ETS favorite. Read it several times before the exam.