Ben Jonson: Life, Works, and Literary Legacy

 Ben Jonson: Life, Works, and Literary Legacy

Ben Jonson (c.1573–1637) stands as a towering figure in English literature, renowned not only for his comedies and masques but also for his staunch commitment to classical ideals during an age captivated by romanticism. As a contemporary and sometimes rival of William Shakespeare, Jonson carved out a unique space for himself in the literary landscape of Elizabethan and Jacobean England. This article explores his life, his major works, and the legacy of a man who was as complex as the characters he created.

Early Life and Background

Ben Jonson was born around 1573 in Westminster. His father, an educated gentleman, had his property confiscated and was imprisoned during the reign of Queen Mary I, suggesting the family once held a prominent status. Tragically, Jonson’s father died before his birth. His mother later remarried a bricklayer, and Jonson’s early life was shaped by a mixture of hardship and resilience.

Jonson was initially educated at a private school and later entered Westminster School, where he came under the mentorship of the noted scholar William Camden. Camden recognized Jonson’s intellect and supported him academically. Although it is uncertain whether Jonson studied at Cambridge, he was soon compelled by his stepfather to learn the bricklaying trade. This did not suit the ambitious young man, who soon escaped to join the English army fighting in the Low Countries. During this military stint, he famously engaged in a duel between enemy lines, killed his opponent, and returned triumphantly—an event that echoed the valor of medieval knights and revealed Jonson's bold character.

Career in Theatre and Early Struggles

Returning to England, Jonson married at the young age of nineteen or twenty. Like Shakespeare, he found employment as an actor and play reviser. His career, however, was often turbulent. He killed an actor in a duel and narrowly escaped execution by invoking “benefit of clergy,” a legal plea reserved for literate individuals. Though he survived, he was stripped of his belongings and branded on the thumb—a permanent reminder of his brush with the law.

In 1598, Jonson’s first major play, Every Man in His Humour, debuted. The play’s success marked his entry into the world of serious drama. Notably, William Shakespeare is believed to have acted in the play, signaling the beginning of a complicated but long-standing relationship between the two literary giants.

Rise to Prominence and Royal Favor

Jonson's career gained momentum with a series of comedies and satires. Upon the accession of King James I, Jonson’s literary fortune improved considerably. His skill in writing masques—lavish court entertainments—won him the favor of the monarchy. His talent earned him the title of Poet Laureate, and he became a dominant figure in London’s literary circles. Despite his success, Jonson’s rigid classicism and fierce independence often led to quarrels with fellow writers, including rivals like George Chapman and John Marston.

One particularly revealing episode involves the controversial play Eastward Ho!. Jonson was imprisoned after offending King James with some of its content. During this time, he famously recounted how his mother, fiercely loyal and protective, planned to poison both herself and Jonson to prevent him from suffering a torturous execution. This incident illustrates both his mother’s fortitude and Jonson’s own fearless, defiant nature.

The Classical Approach to Drama

Unlike most of his contemporaries, Jonson rejected the romantic tendencies of Elizabethan drama. He adhered instead to classical models derived from Roman playwrights such as Plautus and Terence. He insisted on the “unities” of time, place, and action. His plays usually unfold over a single day, in a single setting, and follow a logical progression of events.

Jonson’s comedies are especially noteworthy for their realism. Rather than idealized heroes or melodramatic plots, his works portray the everyday absurdities of real people. He employed the concept of “humour”—a dominant personality trait exaggerated to the point of comedy. This technique is exemplified in Every Man in His Humour, where each character embodies a particular quirk or vice, a method later adopted by novelists like Charles Dickens.

Jonson’s satirical trilogy—Every Man in His Humour, Cynthia’s Revels, and The Poetaster—attacks the follies of London life, courtly pretensions, and literary affectation, respectively. Through these, he positioned himself as both a moral critic and a literary purist.

Masterpieces of Comedy

Among his many works, three comedies stand out as his finest achievements: Volpone, The Alchemist, and Epicœne, or The Silent Woman.

Volpone (1606) is a biting satire centered on a man’s obsessive love for gold. The protagonist worships his wealth as a god, a theme made evident in the opening scene when he hails his gold as the “world’s soul.” The play is a brilliant commentary on greed and corruption, packed with cunning characters and dark humor.

The Alchemist (1610) is another tightly structured play that mocks gullibility and social ambition. A trio of con artists deceives a variety of London citizens, each blinded by their desires—be it for gold, power, or status.

Epicœne, or The Silent Woman (1609) is perhaps the most theatrically innovative of his works. Morose, a wealthy old man who detests noise, marries a seemingly mute woman to disinherit his nephew. But his plan backfires spectacularly when Epicœne turns out to be a loud and boisterous individual—worse still, “she” is eventually revealed to be a boy in disguise. The comic twist underscores Jonson’s mastery of farce and social satire.

Other Literary Contributions

Jonson was not confined to comedy. His tragedies Sejanus (1603) and Catiline (1611) are based on Roman history and reflect his admiration for classical themes. While they are less celebrated today, they showcase his erudition and sense of dramatic structure.

He also penned numerous masques for the Stuart court, blending poetry, music, and elaborate stagecraft. Some of the most famous include The Masque of Blackness, The Masque of Queens, and Hue and Cry after Cupid.

As a poet, Jonson demonstrated lyrical finesse in pieces like Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes and To Celia. His verse often blends emotional depth with elegant restraint.

In prose, Jonson’s Timber, or Discoveries Made Upon Men and Matter contains reflections on literature, philosophy, and human nature. It reveals his critical intellect and aligns him with essayists like Francis Bacon.

Later Years and Death

After retiring from stage writing in 1616, Jonson focused on scholarship. He undertook a walking tour to Scotland in 1618, visiting the poet Drummond of Hawthornden, whose records of their conversations provide valuable insight into Jonson’s life and views. Unfortunately, Jonson's notes on this journey, titled Foot Pilgrimage, were destroyed in a fire.

In his later years, Jonson faced poverty and illness. His last play, The Sad Shepherd, though unfinished, shows a softer tone and human warmth missing in earlier works. He died in 1637, honored by the nation and buried in Westminster Abbey. On his grave lies a simple yet profound inscription: “O rare Ben Jonson.”

Legacy

Ben Jonson’s influence on English drama is immense. He stood as a counterforce to the romantic extravagance of his era, emphasizing structure, realism, and moral satire. His works continue to be studied for their insight into the society of his time and for their enduring literary merit. While Shakespeare’s fame has eclipsed that of his friend and rival, Jonson’s contributions remain foundational to the development of English literature.

Through sharp wit, deep intellect, and unwavering integrity, Jonson crafted a body of work that continues to resonate across centuries. His voice—bold, classical, and unmistakably original—remains one of the rarest in the annals of English drama.