Notes and Questions about Jonson's "To Penshurst" (p. 1546)
Was in existence by "end of 13th century"; present manor house built 1341; enlarged 1552.
It is therefore an "ancient pile," "reared with no man’s ruin, no man’s groan" (line 46), which is an allusion to the shift from communal ownership of farm land to private ownership. See the Wikipedia article on "Inclosure Acts".
Burghley House, constructed 1558-1587, is a "proud, ambitious heap" with many a lantern, stair, and court (35 major rooms (for Lord Burghley, kin, and guests), and 80 additional rooms (for servants, work, housekeeping, etc.) .
- Study / Discussion Questions:
- Lines 10-18 depict places on the grounds of Penshurst (which was and is a real place) as being populated with mythological personages: dryads, Pan, Bacchus, satyrs, and fauns. What's the point?
- Lines 29-38 portray the game birds and fish of Penshurst as volunteering to be eaten. What's the point?
- In lines 93-96 religion is mentioned. Compare Jonson's concept of religion to John Donne's.
