00029—Analyse Ben Jonson’s observations on style. [To read the best authors/Observe the best speakers/Much exercise of one’s own style.]

      Ben Jonson              

Language and thought, according to Ben Jonson, are inseparable entities.  Language without thought is lame, and thought without language is dumb.  Language owes its life to thought.  It’s also an index of character: it ‘most shows the man.’   Style is the choice and arrangement of words to express one’s thoughts most effectively.  Ben Jonson recommends three steps to develop an effective style:

a)     To read the best authors,

b)    Observe the best speakers, and,

c)     Much exercise of one’s own style.

One should remember that the first word that comes to one’s mind is not always the best word for his purpose, nor is the first construction of the sentence or paragraph.  They must be revised and reconstructed repeatedly to arrive at the best. “So did the best writers in their beginnings; they imposed upon themselves care and industry.  They did nothing rashly.  They obtained first to write well, and then custom made it easy, and a habit.  So the sun of all is: ready writing makes not a good writing: but good writing brings on ready writing.”

Ben Jonson says that it is fit for the beginner and learner to study others and ‘the best.’  For the mind and memory are more sharply exercised in comprehending another man’s things than our own.  This is applicable to observing and learning from the best authors and best speakers.  Ben Jonson’s concept of style may be summed up in his own words thus: “Choiceness of phrase, round and clean composition of sentence, sweet falling of the clause varying an illustration by tropes and figures, weight of matter, worth of subject, soundness of argument, life of invention and design of judgement.”

Ben Jonson's concepts of good style are: 

1.choiceness of phrase,

2.round and clean composition of sentence, 

3.sweet falling of the clause,

4.varying in illustration by tropes and figures,

5.weight of matter,

6.worth of subject,

7.soundness of argument,

8.life of invention, and, 

9.depth of judgement. 

  

***********************************************