11.1 Ben Jonson and Satirical Comedy

Ben Jonson, a contemporary of Shakespeare, made his mark with satirical comedies that skewered Jacobean society. His plays used wit, irony, and exaggeration to expose human vices and follies, often featuring stock characters representing social types or moral failings.

Jonson's work differed from Shakespeare's romantic comedies, focusing on social critique rather than love stories. He drew inspiration from classical Roman literature, adhering to conventions like the unities of time, place, and action while delivering sharp commentary on the court and nobility.

Satirical Comedy in Jonson's Works

Elements of Satirical Comedy

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• Uses wit, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize human vices, follies, abuses, or shortcomings
• Aims to shame or expose the perceived foolishness of individuals or society through laughter and ridicule
• Employs a variety of comedic devices, such as verbal wit, irony, sarcasm, hyperbole, and humorous misunderstandings or deceptions
• Often has a didactic purpose of exposing and correcting moral failings or societal ills

Jonson's Use of Satirical Comedy

• Features stock characters or caricatures representing various social types or vices
  • The foolish braggart soldier in "Every Man in His Humour"
  • The gullible victims of the con artists in "The Alchemist"
• Sets many plays, such as "Volpone" and "Bartholomew Fair", in contemporary London society to directly satirize the follies and vices of his time
• Uses satire to expose and critique the corruption, hypocrisy, and human foibles of Jacobean society
  • "Volpone" satirizes greed, deception, and the corrupting influence of wealth
  • "The Alchemist" mocks the gullibility of those who fall for the promises of quick riches and the charlatans who exploit their naivety

Classical Influences on Jonson

Influence of Roman Literature

• Jonson was well-versed in classical literature, particularly the works of ancient Roman poets and playwrights (Horace, Juvenal, and Plautus)
• Uses stock characters common in the works of Plautus and Terence, such as the braggart soldier or the cunning servant
• Employs an erudite style, dense with literary allusions and learned references, reminiscent of the scholarly approach of classical authors

Adherence to Classical Conventions

• Jonson's plays often adhere to the classical unities of time, place, and action, as prescribed by Aristotle's "Poetics"
• Uses a chorus in some plays, such as "Cynthia's Revels", reflecting the influence of Greek drama
• Structures his comedies to prioritize a didactic purpose, aligning with the classical tradition of using literature to educate and enlighten

Social and Political Commentary in Jonson

Satirizing Jacobean Society

• Jonson's satirical comedies serve as a commentary on the social, moral, and political issues of his time
• Exposes corruption, hypocrisy, and human foibles through the lens of satire
• "Bartholomew Fair" presents a microcosm of London society, satirizing various social types and the vices associated with them (hypocrisy, gluttony, and lust)

Critiquing the Court and Nobility

• Jonson's comedies often critique the court and the nobility, exposing their vanity, affectations, and moral failings
• Plays like "Cynthia's Revels" and "Epicoene" use satire to mock the pretensions and vices of the upper classes
• Highlights the discrepancy between the idealized image of the court and the reality of its corruption and moral decay

Jonson vs Shakespeare: Comedic Styles

Satirical vs Romantic Comedy

• Jonson's satirical approach differs from Shakespeare's more romantic and fantastical comedic style
• Shakespeare's comedies often revolve around themes of love, marriage, and the triumph of good over adversity
• Jonson's comedies focus more on exposing vice and folly through satire and have a more didactic purpose

Characterization and Humor

• Jonson's characters are often exaggerated caricatures or humors, embodying a single dominant trait or vice
• Shakespeare's characters tend to be more psychologically complex and multi-faceted
• Jonson's humor is more cerebral, relying on verbal wit, irony, and satire
• Shakespeare's comedies frequently employ elements of farce, mistaken identities, and slapstick humor