1. English 12 - British Literature
Renaissance Poetry #3
English 12 - British Literature

2. “On My First Son”
by Ben Jonson

3. “On my First Son” BY BEN JONSON
Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy; 
My sin was too much hope of thee, lov'd boy. 
Seven years tho' wert lent to me, and I thee pay, 
Exacted by thy fate, on the just day. 
O, could I lose all father now! For why 
Will man lament the state he should envy? 
To have so soon 'scap'd world's and flesh's rage, 
And if no other misery, yet age? 
Rest in soft peace, and, ask'd, say, "Here doth lie 
Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry." 
For whose sake henceforth all his vows be such, 
As what he loves may never like too much.
First, read the author background on page 353. Jonson would have been Shakespeare’s greatest rival during the Renaissance.
Then read the poem on page 355.
This video tells a little about the life of Jonson and explains this poem. You can watch this after reading and the explanation that I have provided or save it for your own review later.
Jonson video

4. “On my First Son” Explanation
Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy; 
My sin was too much hope of thee, lov'd boy. 
Seven years tho' wert lent to me, and I thee pay, 
Exacted by thy fate, on the just day. 
O, could I lose all father now! For why 
Will man lament the state he should envy? 
To have so soon 'scap'd world's and flesh's rage, 
And if no other misery, yet age? 
Rest in soft peace, and, ask'd, say, "Here doth lie 
Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry." 
For whose sake henceforth all his vows be such, 
As what he loves may never like too much.
Line 1: Jonson begins the poem referring to his son as “child of my right hand” because that’s what Benjamin means.
Line 2: He thinks that he loved his son too much and that’s why he was taken from him.
Line 3-4: He compares the 7 years he had his son to the length of a loan.
Line 6: Here Jonson’s tone changes. He says, why should I lament or feel sorry because I should really be jealous? Although his son died young, he has escaped so many miseries of the world.
Line 10: This is where he imagines what could be on his son’s grave. This would mean that his son was his best creation
Line 11-12: Jonson ends with the vow that he will never love anything as much as his son again.

5. Along with your notes from the explanation, answer the following questions on your own paper. Write the question and the answer.
“On My First Son” by Ben Jonson
To whom is this poem addressed? Why does Jonson call his son “child of my right hand”? (line 1)
What metaphor does Jonson use to describe the death of his son?
In which lines does Jonson explain ways that a person might envy the dead young boy?
In the final couplet of the poem, how does Jonson say he hopes he will feel about those he loves in the future?

6. “Whoso List to Hunt”
by Sir Thomas Wyatt

7. “Whoso List to Hunt” Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind,
BY SIR THOMAS WYATT
Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind, 
But as for me, hélas, I may no more. 
The vain travail hath wearied me so sore, 
I am of them that farthest cometh behind. 
Yet may I by no means my wearied mind 
Draw from the deer, but as she fleeth afore 
Fainting I follow. I leave off therefore, 
Sithens in a net I seek to hold the wind. 
Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt, 
As well as I may spend his time in vain. 
And graven with diamonds in letters plain 
There is written, her fair neck round about: 
Noli me tangere, for Caesar's I am, 
And wild for to hold, though I seem tame. 
Read the author background on page 530.
Then read the poem on page 531.

8. “Whoso List to Hunt” Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind,
BY SIR THOMAS WYATT
Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind, 
But as for me, alas, I may no more. 
The vain travail hath wearied me so sore, 
I am of them that farthest cometh behind. 
Yet may I by no means my wearied mind 
Draw from the deer, but as she fleeth afore 
Fainting I follow. I leave off therefore, 
Since in a net I seek to hold the wind. 
Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt, 
As well as I may spend his time in vain. 
And graven with diamonds in letters plain 
There is written, her fair neck round about: 
Noli me tangere, for Caesar's I am, 
And wild for to hold, though I seem tame. 
Line 1-2: The author says whoever wants to hunt, I know where there is a deer, but he isn’t going to hunt anymore.
Line 3-4: He says he has hunted in vain and that he is basically in last place.
Line 5-7: He says even though his mind is tired, he still tries to seek her.
Line 7-8: He says trying to catch her is like trying to catch the wind in a net Not gonna happen.
Line 9-10: He warns whoever tries to hunt her that he too will waste his time.
11-14: This deer should have a warning around her neck saying that she belongs to “Caesar.”

9. Just for fun about Henry VIII  Video #1 Video #2
Review Questions : Complete on your own paper.
“Whoso List to Hunt” by Sir Thomas Wyatt
 1. Who does the deer represent?   
2. Why is the hunter ending the hunt?
3. What advice does he give potential hunters?
4. Who does Caesar represent?
5. What does the line about the net imply about the speaker’s chances?
 Royal Review
1. Explain how the poem describes a royal love triangle?
2. List the monarchs in order beginning with Henry VII through James I.
Match the monarchs to their description:
_____ 1. Henry VIII a. sickly boy, became king at 9
_____ 2. Elizabeth b. tried many times to kill her cousin
_____ 3. Mary (Bloody) c. first of the Stuart monarchs, commissioned Bible translation
_____ 4. Mary, Queen of Scots d. took throne after War of the Roses, established order
_____ 5. James e. Restablished Catholic church, killed Protestants
_____ 6. Edward f. began English Royal Navy, arrogant in old age, married 6 times
_____ 7. HenryVII g. ruler during defeat of Spanish Armada, England flourished and was prosperous despite many doubts
Just for fun about Henry VIII 
Video #1
Video #2

10. King James Bible passages Parable of the Good Samaritan (parable)
Psalm 23 (psalm)
Parable of the Good Samaritan (parable)

11. King James Bible
Begin by reading the background information on page , then together read the notes below.
After becoming king, one of the first tasks that James I began was having the Bible translated into English. Of course there were already other translations, but because of all the interest in study and accuracy during the Renaissance, he wanted a more correct and accurate translation.
The king had a team of 54 men who took different sections of the Bible, translated it from the most original versions of the Greek and Hebrew they had access to, and then they checked their work for accuracy. This took seven years to do! Because this took so long, the language and style of writing used at the beginning of translation was not even considered modern English for the time of James during the Renaissance!
Why is the King James Bible important? Why are we reading it selections in class?
If the people could read anything during the Renaissance, they read the Bible. It was important as a religious text, but there are phrases, words, and sayings that have become a part of ordinary life because of the Bible’s popularity.
The Bible can be read like an other form of literature. For our class selections we will read a psalm and a parable and see literary elements that can be seen in any typical poem and short story.

12. Read the intro and Psalm 23
on page 375.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

13. Psalm 23 - Explanation Psalm 23 can be broken down into
two major metaphors – God is a
shepherd, and God is a host.
The first part of the Psalm discusses God as the shepherd. The line “I shall not want” means there is nothing that I will want or need because God will provide it. All of the things mentioned here like the green pastures and still waters are things that would be needs or comforts to sheep, but just like the shepherd would provide these for the sheep, God will provide whatever we need. He will also provide protection according to lines 7-8.
At the end, the metaphor changes and God is now seen as a host. Even with our enemies around, we are welcomed and provided for in God’s house. The anointing with oil and providing food and drink are welcoming and more examples of how God will care for His people.
Psalm 23 - Explanation
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

14. King James Bible: “Psalm 23” Review Questions
____ 1. Which of the following descriptions of God’s gifts to humankind is not stated in Psalm 23?
a. Protection from evil c. Ecstasy and joy
b. Goodness and mercy d. Righteousness
____ 2. According to the author of Psalm 23, the speaker’s interactions with God resemble the relationship of a flock to its shepherd because both the psalmist and a flock —
a. follow and trust c. wander and wonder
b. live in a large group d. fear and flee
____ 3. The banquet in Psalm 23 is a(n) —
a. ritual meal celebrated by God’s most devout followers
b. metaphor representing the wealth one will receive in exchange for trusting God
c. example of how followers of God will not need shepherds
d. metaphor for the comfort and protection God provides his followers
____ 4. Psalm 23 suggests that in exchange for following God, people can expect —
a. material gain c. peace and serenity
b. prestige and power d. a long, healthy life

15. “The Parable of the Good Samaritan”
Read the information about a parable on page 378, then read the “Parable of the Good
Samaritan on the handout given to you in class.
Explanation: What’s going on?
The lawyer at the beginning is not like our lawyer today. He would be an expert at religious law and he’s trying to trick Jesus. He first asks him how to inherit eternal life. Instead of answering, Jesus turns it around on him and asks him. If he’s supposed to be an expert, he should know the answer, right?
According to the answer given, to inherit eternal life one must “Love the Lord thy God with all thy strength, and with all they mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” This is what begins the parable when the lawyer now asks, “Who is my neighbor?”
A man was beaten, robbed, and left for dead. Two men pass by him – a priest and a Levite and offer no help. We are not told why they do not stop; we just know that they don’t stop or offer help.
Then a Samaritan passes. It is so very important to understand that on a daily, social basis, the man injured and the Samaritan would have had NOTHING to do with each other. However, who is the person who shows compassion and helps the injured man? The Samaritan. Not only does he help him on the side of the road, but he takes him to an inn where he pays for his care there too.
Jesus ends the parable by asking, which of these men was a “neighbor” to the injured man. Obviously the Samaritan, and we are supposed to learn to behave in the same way – to show mercy to and love all.

16. King James Bible: Parable of the Good Samaritan Review Questions
_____ 1. Who tells the parable of the Good Samaritan?
A. Jesus B. God C. Matthew D. the Samaritan
_____ What question is the parable of The Good Samaritan answering?
A. How do I enter heaven? C. How can my sins be forgiven?
B. Who is my neighbor? D. Who should I love most?
______ 3. Who are the two people that walk past the wounded man?
A. the Samaritan, the priest B. the Levite, the leper C. the priest, the Levite
_____ 4. Why would it have been shocking that the person who helped the wounded man did offer help?
A. They were a notoriously mean people.
B. They were all lepers and he would have made him sicker.
C. They were outcasts.
D. They were a group of non-Christian people?
______ 5. What are the hearers of the parable asked to do?
A. show mercy on and love all B. ask for forgiveness of sins C. help the wounded
6. What is the definition of “parable”?

17. “Tilbury Speech”
by Queen Elizabeth I

18. Tilbury Speech by Elizabeth I
My loving people,
We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.
I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm: to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.
I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.
On page 366, read the introduction and speech.

19. Tilbury Speech by Elizabeth I – Explanation #1 My loving people,
My loving people,
We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.
Elizabeth begins the speech by saying that she has been advised or warned about “safety” or “treachery,” so she knows there may be people who are plotting against her. We know (and she knew) about the Spanish Armada planning to invade, but in addition she may have people in her own country who are against her.
Notice how she uses words like “faithful and loving” and “good-will” as she speaks to her people. She needs to “sweet talk” those who are still with her and make sure she has people who are willing to fight on her side.
She goes on to assure them that even in “the midst and heat of battle” she will be ready to fight with her people.

20. Tilbury Speech by Elizabeth I- Explanation #2
I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king,
and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm: to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.
I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.
She goes on to admit that she knows she is a woman (which was a worry for many people and they doubted her ability) but she says she has “the heart and stomach of a king.” Therefore she is prepared to fight against anyone who dares to invade her country.
She ends the speech by saying that her people will be rewarded for their loyalty. Again, if she needs people to stand and fight with her, giving them a reward is a great idea!

21. “Tilbury Speech” Review Questions
____ 1. According to Queen Elizabeth I in “Tilbury Speech,” she does not fear treachery among her people because —
a. she is not a tyrant c. she does not allow them to bear arms
b. being female, she will be well treated d. she is naturally a trusting person
____ 2. Which does Queen Elizabeth I not offer to do for the English people in “Tilbury Speech”?
a. Die for them c. Give them freedom of religion
b. Command them on the battlefield d. Grant them material rewards
____ 3. Counselors have advised Queen Elizabeth to —
a. resort to tough policing measures to prove her strength c. reduce taxes to quell dissent
b. avoid crowds for fear of assassination d. reassure people of their protection
____ 4. When Queen Elizabeth I says that she has “the heart and stomach of a king,” she means that —
a. she has the courage and ruthlessness of a man to be worthy of her people’s trust
b. women are not capable to prosecute a war
c. she loves England as much as any king would
d. she is physically strong enough to fulfill her office

22. “Tilbury Speech”
1. What is the occasion for writing the speech?
2. What is the queen’s political situation ?
3. Why does she describe her people as “faithful and loving”?
4. What is Elizabeth’s main point of the speech?