What does Jonson reveal about himself in the tribute to Shakespeare?
Answer Hello Rebecca, Thanks for your question. When posing a question, teachers usually have a very particular point in mind, and in this case it is actually quite clear: many of Jonson’s lines discuss the difference between having a formal university education or not. Jonson had one, Shakespeare did not. Hence, Jonson says that Shakespeare had “small Latin and less Greek”. Jonson himself knew these languages well. The point also crops up in the question of whether a poet is made (i.e. taught/educated) or born; Jonson says that some are made and some are born; Shakespeare is one of those who were born a poet, i.e. a natural poet. Jonson takes pains to point out that he does not chide or think less of Shakespeare because the latter had no university education; instead Jonson acknowledges that such an education is not necessary for those who are born with such immense talent. Hope this helped.
