Showing results for "Ben Jonson" in Art

Volpone, or The Fox by Ben Jonson. Volpone is a comedy by Ben Jonson first produced in 1606, drawing on elements of city comedy and beast fable. A merciless satire of greed and lust, it remains Jonson's most-performed play, and it is among the finest Jacobean Era comedies. Volpone is a Venetian gentleman who pretends to be on his deathbed, after a long illness, in order to dupe Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino, three men who aspire to inherit his fortune. In their turns, each man arrives to Volpone’s house bearing a luxurious gift, intent upon having his name inscribed to the will of ...

Following the success of Jonsons Every Man In His Humour, Every Man Out of His Humour presents a delightful blend of satire and wit. While its plot may seem light, it serves as a vibrant caricature of the societal norms of Jonsons time, delivered through sharp dialogue and a fierce sense of indignation at literary pretensions. This play elevates the art of dramatic satire, drawing inspiration from the classical ideals of comedy and echoing the brilliance of Aristophanes. Prepare for a captivating exploration of character and humor that remains timeless.

In a world rife with vice, an inferior devil named Pug seeks to make his mark by tempting humanity towards evil. Summoned by Satan, Pug arrives in 1616 London, only to find himself tangled in a web of con artists, thieves, and seductresses surrounding the hapless Squire Fabian Fitzdottrel. As he navigates this chaotic landscape filled with cunning criminality, Pug discovers that the temptations he brings are but a mere whisper compared to the overwhelming vices already at play. Join us for a delightful exploration of mischief and morality as Pug learns that the true nature of temptation may be...

An inferior devil, Pug, asks Satan to send him to Earth to tempt men to Evil. But when Pug arrives in 1616 London and sets himself at the Squire Fabian Fitzdottrel, he finds Fabian currently beset by con men, cheats, connivers, thieves, villains, and seductresses - a delightful mix of cunning criminality in a world that already has far more vice in it than anything Pug is prepared to offer. - Summary by ToddHWCast list:Satan, the great Devil: alanmapstonePug, the less Devil: SoniaIniquity, the Vice: NemoFabian Fitzdottrel, a Squire of Norfolk: Tomas PeterMeercraft, the Projector: HamletEverill...

Volpone is a comedy by Ben Jonson first produced in 1606, drawing on elements of city comedy and beast fable. A merciless satire of greed and lust, it remains Jonson's most-performed play, and it is among the finest Jacobean Era comedies. Volpone is a Venetian gentleman who pretends to be on his deathbed, after a long illness, in order to dupe Voltore, Corbaccio, and Corvino, three men who aspire to inherit his fortune. In their turns, each man arrives to Volpone’s house bearing a luxurious gift, intent upon having his name inscribed to the will of Volpone, as his heir. Mosca, Volpone’s ...

Every Man Out of His Humour followed Jonson's play Every Man In His Humour. "This play as a fabric of plot is a very slight affair; but as a satirical picture of the manners of the time, proceeding by means of vivid caricature, couched in witty and brilliant dialogue and sustained by that righteous indignation which must lie at the heart of all true satire — as a realisation, in short, of the classical ideal of comedy — there had been nothing like Jonson's comedy since the days of Aristophanes.... What Jonson really did, was to raise the dramatic lampoon to an art, and make out of a casual...

Knowell, an old man - rumor says Shakespeare originally played this part - tries to spy upon the doings of his potentially wayward son. Meanwhile, Kitely, a merchant, worries so much about being cuckolded by his wife that perhaps it has to happen. All this while a swarm of other interesting characters surround them. - Summary by ToddHWCast list:KNOWELL, an old Gentleman: ToddHWEDWARD KNOWELL, his Son: Rob MarlandBRAINWORM, the Father's Man: Zames CurranGEORGE DOWNRIGHT, a plain Squire: Algy PugWELLBRED, his Half-Brother: Jim GallagherKITELY, a merchant: Joseph TablerCAPTAIN BOBADILL, a Paul's ...

The Forest is a short collection of Ben Jonson's poetry. This collection of fifteen poems first appeared in the 1616 first folio of his collected works. (Summary by Sheldon Greaves)

An outbreak of plague in London forces a gentleman, Lovewit, to flee temporarily to the country, leaving his house under the sole charge of his butler, Jeremy. Jeremy uses the opportunity given to him to use the house as the headquarters for fraudulent acts. He transforms himself into 'Captain Face', and enlists the aid of Subtle, a fellow conman and Dol Common, a prostitute. In The Alchemist, Jonson unashamedly satirizes the follies, vanities and vices of mankind, most notably greed-induced credulity. People of all social classes are subject to Jonson's ruthless, satirical wit. He mocks human...

Cynthias Revels, a captivating comical satire first performed in 1600, offers an intricate tapestry of wit and humor that surpasses its predecessor, Every Man Out of His Humour. This play delves deep into personal satire, showcasing a plethora of remarkable caricatures and sharp, insightful dialogue. While the central theme of a fountain of self-love may not be fully realized, the characters occasionally drift into abstraction and allegory, creating a unique theatrical experience. Join us as we explore this fascinating work! - Summary by Prof. Felix E. Schelling

An outbreak of plague in London forces a gentleman, Lovewit, to flee temporarily to the country, leaving his house under the sole charge of his butler, Jeremy. Jeremy uses the opportunity given to him to use the house as the headquarters for fraudulent acts. He transforms himself into 'Captain Face', and enlists the aid of Subtle, a fellow conman and Dol Common, a prostitute. In The Alchemist, Jonson unashamedly satirizes the follies, vanities and vices of mankind, most notably greed-induced credulity. People of all social classes are subject to Jonson's ruthless, satirical wit. He mocks human...

The Devil is an Ass is a satirical play by Ben Jonson that combines humor, farce, and sharp social commentary to expose human folly and moral corruption. In this work, the devil is portrayed as a comical buffoon, embodying vanity and hypocrisy while engaging in absurd, misguided schemes. Jonson skillfully mocks societal pretensions and ambitions, using clever dialogue and exaggerated characters to reveal the inherent absurdities of human nature and the tragic consequences of unchecked pride with brilliance. Summary by Lina