On My First Son (Poem)
What is the symbolism of the "right hand" in the poem, On My First Son?
.
.
The "right hand" symbolizes luck and favor. The speaker refers to his son as "thou child of my right hand," denoting that he was special and well-loved (1). The right hand also carries biblical significance, as the New Testament frequently describes Jesus as sitting at the right hand of the Father—meaning that Jesus shares equal status with God. By using this phrase, Jonson suggests that his son, despite his youth, shared equal status with his own father.
BookRags