Ben Jonson
Shakespeare's great rival and contemporary, Jonson brought classical learning and satirical ferocity to the English stage. His comedies of humors dissected social pretension with mordant wit. He was the first English writer to publish his own collected works, asserting literature's claim to lasting dignity.
Works
- Poems
- Every Man in His HumourComedy of humours depicting London characters representing excess passion and temperament
- The Forest
- Underwoods
- VolponeDark comedy of deception where a man disguises himself to exploit wealthy admirers
- The AlchemistComedy of alchemical con artists and duped patrons seeking transmutation of base metals
- Bartholomew FairRaucous comedy set at London fair featuring rogues, thieves, and carnival chaos
- EpicoeneComedy of a misogynist brought low when tricked into marriage and social humiliation
- SejanusTragedy of a Roman statesman caught in political conspiracy under Emperor Tiberius