Anthony InzinnaEnglish 225Dr. RaberApril 15, 2014To Penshurst: Class EqualityBen Jonson's poem, "To Penshurst," reflects a genre of poetry known as country poetry. This poetry was written primarily to please the owner of the country house. Jonson's poem was written specifically to praise Sir Robert Sidney's estate in Kent. What makes Jonson's poem different from other poems of this period is the content that Jonson wrote about. Johson's "To Penshurst" appeals to all social classes, whether a peasant or a king, because of its pure acceptance and simplicity. This poem could almost be considered a literal gift to Penshurst, just as it is to all social classes. In this poem, Jonson writes in the hope of praising Sidney's estate, Penshurst. The estate resides in the town of Kent and the landscape is described as humble, much like the manor. What makes this poem intriguing is the way it departs from the country poetry of the time. At this time in history, the likelihood of peasants interacting intimately with royalty was very unlikely. What Penshurst is proposing through this work is lower and middle class equality among all classes. Outside of Penshurst, however, the same concept does not apply. Indeed, Penshurst, in some ways, could be seen as something of a utopia. This is mainly due to the warm interaction between peasant and royal life. As previously mentioned, not all classes are equal outside of Penshurst. Penshurst is almost like a paradise for those seeking to escape the harsh social norms of the society of the time. However, unlike Thomas More's "utopia", there are no negative connotations that the reader can decipher...... middle of paper ......Sidney's estate is remarkable in its nature humble and simplistic. Social classes all live harmoniously thanks to respect and understanding of what each class brings. The peasants, the servants, Jonson himself, Sidney and the king all have different social statuses. It is the ability not to despise one another that makes the social order so remarkable. In one sense it is a paradigm of a typical English society and, conversely, a watered down utopia for anyone who knows Penshurst. Jonson's 'To Penshurst' is a staple of country poetry and reflects the magnificence of the estate's natural beauty. Additionally, Penshurst incorporated a heartwarming community that managed to capture Johnson's attention by providing a humbling and inviting experience to all who inhabit the beautiful Sidney estate known as Penshurst..