Thursday, March 27, 2014

How do you explain and paraphrase Ben Jonson's "Song: To Celia"?

Here's a quick mixture of paraphrase and interpretation of
Jonson's "Song:  To Celia" to help you understand
it.


  • Drink only to me with your eyes, or Drink to
    me with only your eyes (metaphor:  dedicate yourself only to me with your eyes, or with
    your eyes give a toast to me)

  • I'll pledge myself to you
    with my eyes/loving look, glance/stare

  • Or leave a kiss in
    the cup (the wine cup) and I'll be satisfied--I won't look for
    wine

  • The thirst that arises from one's soul needs a
    divine drink, but I would not exchange the nectar of the god's for a drink from
    you.

The second
stanza:


  • I sent you some roses, not so much to
    honor you but that, by being in your presence, the roses might not
    rot

  • But you only smelled the roses and returned them; but
    since you returned them, I swear, they smell like you, not like
    roses.

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