Hey literary magicians! This article is on the summary of the poem “The Noble Nature”. I have also included Analysis and critical appreciation in this article for your benefits.
“The Noble Nature” is a short but powerful poem written by Ben Jonson who is a famous English writer well known for his plays and poetry. In this poem, Jonson shares his belief that a short life but with good actions is more important than simply living a long life. The poem compares the life of a long-living oak tree with the short, beautiful life of a lily flower, showing that quality is more important than quantity.
Poem Text
Here is the text of the poem:
It is not growing like a tree
In bulk,doth make Man better be;
Or standing long an oak, three hundred year,
To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere:
A lily of a day
Is fairer far in May,
Although it fall and die that night—
It was the plant and flower of Light.In small proportions we just beauties see;
And in short measures, life may perfect be.
About the Poet
Ben Jonson (1572-1637) was a well-known English writer of Renaissance period. He wrote plays, poems, which captivated readers towards him. He was a well-respected figure in the world of English literature. Jonson’s poetry is often short but to the point and full of deep meaning. His works continue to be celebrated today for their cleverness and wit.
His famous works are :
- Every Man in His Humour (1598)
- Volpone (1605)
- The Silent Woman (1609)
- The Alchemist (1610)
- Bartholomew Fair (1614)
Poem Analysis
Main Idea of The Noble Nature
The main idea of the poem is that a life that is short but ethical and compassionate is more valuable than a long life with little meaning.
Jonson compares the oak tree, which lives for hundreds of years but becomes useless in the end, to a lily that blooms for just a day yet remains remembered for its beauty and might make your day, if you encounter a blooming one!.
Please note that it is just for reference and is the poet’s view, as you may find beauty/value even in an oak tree – The oak’s value lies in its longevity, its strength, and its contribution to the environment during its life. It provides shelter, oxygen, and material for human use (wood, for example).
The critique is not that the oak tree lacks value but rather that a long life alone, without virtue or purpose, does not make it “better.”
Key Themes
1. Quality is More Important than Length: Jonson contrasts the oak tree, which lives for hundreds of years but becomes a useless log (again you may have different interpretation as the log is also not useless in true sense but try to get the depth of the poem which compares value with time), with the lily, which blooms for only a day but leaves a lasting impression. This shows that having a meaningful life, no matter how short, is more important than just living a long time without purpose.
2. The Importance of Good Nature: The poem also suggests that it is better to be kind and helpful to others than to be powerful or live a long life. The lily, even though it has a short life, brings joy and beauty to those around it, just as a good person brings happiness to others.
Literary Device
- Alliteration: The poem uses repeated sounds, like in “make Man” and “fairer far.” This helps make the poem sound smooth and musical.
- Consonance: The poem also uses consonance, which is the repetition of consonant sounds, as in “make Man” and “fairer far.”
- Metaphor: Jonson calls the lily the “flower of Light,” which is a metaphor. He uses “light” to mean beauty, hope, and happiness.
- Enjambment: In some lines, the sentence continues from one line to the next without a break. For example, “It is not growing like a tree / In bulk, doth make man better be.
Style of The Nobel Nature
Jonson’s style is very concise. He doesn’t use many words, but every word has its own meaning. He uses humor and makes fun of people who think that long life or power is the most important thing in life. Instead, he says that a life full of goodness is the true value.Structure and Rhyme SchemeThe poem has 10 lines. These lines are arranged into two sets of four lines each, and a final two-line conclusion. The rhyme pattern follows the format AABBCCDDAA. This gives the poem a regular and pleasant sound when read aloud.
The Nobel Nature Poem Critical Appreciation
Jonson’s “The Noble Nature” is an excellent example of how a short poem can depict a deep message. He uses simple comparisons and metaphors to teach that what truly matters in life is not how long we live, but the goodness and compassion we spread and the quality of our actions. The poem encourages readers to focus on making a positive impact rather than simply living a long life without a purpose.
The Noble Nature Poem Summary
Reading upto here, you yourself must be well versed with what the poet wants to express, and in a position to write or express a unique and sensible summary of the poem ” The Noble Nature”. Nevertheless, here is a short description:Ben Jonson’s poem “The Noble Nature” argues that a life filled with noble deeds and good character is more valuable than living for a long time without contributing anything positive to the world. By comparing the oak tree’s long life with the lily’s brief bloom, Jonson shows that even a short life can have impactful meaning. The poem uses simple but effective literary devices, such as metaphor and alliteration, to make its message clear.
