Ben Jonson wrote odes to himself.
He is notably credited with composing two odes specifically addressed to himself. These works are recognized as expanded varieties of the Horatian ode.
Characteristics of Ben Jonson's Odes to Himself
These unique odes served as a declaration of Jonson's disenchantment with the theatre, a prominent theme reflected in their verses. For instance, expressing a desire to distance himself from critical trivialities and seek a higher artistic plane, he conveyed a sentiment of creative independence, urging himself to:
- "But sing high and aloof,
- Safe from the wolf's black jaw and the dull ass's hoof."
His self-addressed odes offer a direct insight into his personal artistic struggles and his desire for a more exalted and independent form of poetic expression, distinct from the popular stage.
