Shakespeares Legacy

‘To the memory of my beloved Shakespeare’ by Ben Jonson written in 1623, pays homage to and immortalises the legacy that Shakespeare’s creativity and Art has left on the stage. Jonson contemplates the notion of ‘nature versus nurture’ where nature is naturally occurring and intangible and nurture is an add on or something that has been cultured. Jonson believes that Shakespeare’s talents a largely credited to his natural instinct’s as “nature herself was proud of his designs, and enjoyed to wear the dressings of his lines, which were so richly spun and woven so fit”. These lines are used to dress human nature as Shakespeare does so accurately as he sticks to essential characteristics of the human condition in his writing. However, nature is not just the sole reason why Shakespeare is so timeless. It is his ability to observe nature and translate it into art, that is why “he was not of an age, but for all time!”.

Jonson uses a metaphor of “Upon the Muses’ anvil”; anvil is a piece of metal which can be hammered, and shaped, alike, Shakespeare using his art to create and teach in a beautiful way. The quote continues “turn the same, and himself with it, that he thinks to frame, or for the laurel he may gain a scorn; for a good poet’s made as well as born”  here Jonson articulates how it takes natural ability to become a good poet but they also have to be dedicated to this cause by challenging preconceptions and seeking to nurture the human spirit. 

The last five lines of the poem that prefaced Shakespeare’s first folio of plays, summarises his thoughts and truly depicts how Shakespeare transcends times as he compares him to the Gods and how he becomes part of the heavens, this transcendent influence reinforces his legacy. The line “Shine forth comma the star of poets comma and with rage or influence child or cheer the drooping stage” depicts his luminary power and influence using the metaphor of the stars and light to ignite the creativity that is sustained on earth from what he has done.