Author
Ben Jonson
Died 1637
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Books by Ben Jonson
The Alchemist
"The Alchemist" by Ben Jonson is a comedy first performed in 1610. When a plague forces a London gentleman to flee the city, his scheming butler transforms the empty house into a den of fraud. Teaming with a conman and a prostitute, he preys on the greed and ambitions of eager victims—a gambling clerk, a wealthy nobleman seeking the philosopher's stone, and religious zealots hoping to turn metal into gold. As deceptions multiply and schemes collide, the swindlers' elaborate house of cards grows dangerously unstable.
Volpone; Or, The Fox
"Volpone; Or, The Fox" by Ben Jonson is a comedy play first produced in 1605–1606. In this merciless satire of greed and lust, a wealthy Venetian pretends to be dying to trick three greedy men hoping to inherit his fortune. With his cunning servant Mosca, Volpone weaves elaborate deceptions that escalate dangerously when desire for a beautiful woman enters the scheme. The plots grow increasingly complex until master and servant become entangled in their own web of lies, leading to consequences neither anticipated.
The Devil is an Ass
"The Devil is an Ass" by Ben Jonson is a Jacobean comedy first performed in 1616. When a minor devil named Pug begs to visit Earth, Satan warns him that London's vices have grown too sophisticated for a simple demon. Sent to plague the foolish Fabian Fitzdottrel, Pug finds himself hopelessly outmatched by cunning swindlers and charming gallants who converge on his master. As confidence men spin elaborate schemes and pursue Fitzdottrel's virtuous wife, the hapless devil discovers that human corruption far exceeds anything Hell has to offer.
Every Man in His Humor
"Every Man in His Humour" by Ben Jonson is a comedy performed in 1598. This groundbreaking "humours comedy" presents characters dominated by singular obsessions and quirks. When a concerned father tries to spy on his wayward son's activities in the city, his servant continually undermines the surveillance. Meanwhile, a merchant spirals into intense jealousy, convinced his wife is betraying him. Surrounding these entangled plots, a colorful cast of English types—boastful soldiers, country fools, and pretentious poets—collide in escalating complications that only a wise judge might untangle.
Epicoene; Or, The Silent Woman
"Epicoene; Or, The Silent Woman" by Ben Jonson is a comedy first performed in 1609. The play follows Dauphine, who devises an elaborate scheme to secure his inheritance from his uncle Morose, a wealthy man with an extreme hatred of noise. The plan centers on tricking Morose into marrying Epicoene, who appears to be the perfect silent bride. But after the wedding, chaos erupts as the house fills with noisy guests and the supposedly quiet wife reveals a very different nature. The play builds toward a shocking revelation that changes everything.
Discoveries Made Upon Men and Matter and Some Poems
"Discoveries Made Upon Men and Matter and Some Poems" by Ben Jonson is a collection of essays, thoughts, and poetry written during the early 17th century. The work showcases Jonson's keen observations on various aspects of human nature, society, and morality, reflecting the complexities of life in his time. It encompasses a variety of themes that reveal Jonson's intellect and his emphasis on the importance of character, virtue, and the power of knowledge. At the start of the book, readers are introduced to Jonson’s perspective through the introduction, which highlights his literary legacy and the influences upon him. He reflects on human behavior, offering insights into the motivations behind people's actions, the significance of wisdom and honesty, and the common vices present in society. The opening also suggests that Jonson’s observations stem from a mixture of daily readings and personal experiences, setting the stage for the deep, philosophical discussions that follow. Each thought, or “Timber,” as he calls them, provides a glimpse into the mind of one of English literature's most important figures, beautifully intertwining poetic expressions with intellectual discourse.
Every Man out of His Humour
"Every Man out of His Humour" by Ben Jonson is a satirical comedy play written in 1599. A sequel to Jonson's earlier success "Every Man in His Humour," this play satirizes social ambition and literary rivalries of Elizabethan London. The work features characters that mock real-world figures and playwrights, including pointed references to the theatrical disputes of the era. Though less successful on stage than its predecessor, the play was published three times in 1600 and includes notable allusions to Shakespeare's works.
Bartholomew Fair: A Comedy
"Bartholomew Fair: A Comedy" by Ben Jonson is a Jacobean comedy first staged in 1614. Set at London's famous summer fair, the play follows an eclectic mix of characters—from a disguised justice to a hypocritical Puritan, from pickpockets to country simpletons—as they converge on Smithfield's chaotic marketplace. Through schemes, robberies, mistaken identities, and a climactic puppet show, Jonson creates a vivid panorama of early seventeenth-century London life, where social positions crumble and human folly takes center stage.
Sejanus: His Fall
"Sejanus: His Fall" by Ben Jonson is a tragedy written in 1603 about Lucius Aelius Sejanus, the ambitious favorite of Roman Emperor Tiberius. First performed by the King's Men with a cast including William Shakespeare, the play was reportedly hissed off the stage at the Globe Theatre. Jonson later faced accusations of promoting "popery and treason" for reasons unknown, though no action was taken. The published version features extensive historical annotations and replaces an unnamed co-author's contributions with Jonson's own revisions.
The Poetaster
"The Poetaster" by Ben Jonson is a satirical comedy written in 1601. Set in ancient Rome with the poet Ovid as its principal character, the play became a key salvo in the War of the Theatres—a public feud between Jonson and rival playwrights John Marston and Thomas Dekker. Through clever characterization and biting satire, Jonson explores the poet's moral duties in society while skewering bad poets and their pretentious vocabulary. The play popularized the term "poetaster" for inferior poets with artistic pretensions.
Cynthia's Revels; Or, The Fountain of Self-Love
"Cynthia's Revels; Or, The Fountain of Self-Love" by Ben Jonson is a satirical stage play first performed in 1600. Part of the famous War of the Theatres, the play unfolds at a gathering where courtiers drink from Narcissus's spring, becoming consumed with vanity and self-love. Through elaborate competitions and masques, goddess Cynthia eventually reveals that vices have masqueraded as virtues. Rich in music and mythological references, this comedy explores the follies of courtly ambition and the corrupting nature of excessive self-regard.
Every Man in His Humour
"Every Man in His Humour" by Ben Jonson is a play written in 1598. This "humours comedy" features characters driven by singular obsessions and fixations. When a concerned father attempts to spy on his gallant son's city adventures, his servant continually undermines the surveillance. Meanwhile, a jealous merchant becomes convinced his wife is betraying him with the wastrels his brother-in-law brings home. Surrounded by colorful English types—blustering soldiers, country fools, and pretentious poets—these intertwined plots build through escalating complications in this comedy of human follies.