1905 BEN JONSON Every Man In His Humour A PLAY J M Dent 4th Edition Frontispiece

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

1905 BEN JONSON Every Man In His Humour A PLAY J M Dent 4th Edition Frontispiece:
$13.95

\"Every Man In His Humour\" a Play by Ben Jonson

Edited with a Preface, Notes and Glossary by W Macneile Dixon

Frontispiece illustrations of playwright

Published by J.M. Dent and Co, 1905 (Stated 4th Edition)

144 pages. Notes in pencil throughout book. Book in good condition for age.

PLOT: \"In general outline, this play follows Latin models quite closely. In the main plot, a gentleman named Kno\'well, concerned for his son\'s moral development, attempts to spy on his son, a typical city gallant; however, his espionage is continually subverted by the servant, Brainworm, whom he employs for this purpose. These types are clearly slightly Anglicized versions of ancient types of Greek New Comedy, namely the senex, the son, and the slave. In the subplot, a merchant named Kitely suffers intense jealousy, fearing that his wife is cuckolding him with some of the wastrels brought to his home by his brother-in-law, Wellbred. The characters of these two plots are surrounded by various \"humorous\" characters, all in familiar English types: the irascible soldier, country gull, pretentious pot-poets, surly water-bearer, and avuncular judge all make an appearance. The play works through a series of complications which culminate when the justice, Clement, hears and decides all of the characters\' various grievances, exposing each of them as based in humour, misperception, or deceit.

The details of the plot, are, however, less important than the style of the play. Jonson\'s purpose is delineated in the prologue he wrote for the folio version. These lines, which have justly been taken as applying to Jonson\'s comic theory in general, are especially appropriate to this play. He promises to present \"deeds, and language, such as men do use:/ And persons, such as comedy would choose,/ When she would show an Image of the times,/ And sport with human follies, not with crimes.\" The play follows out this implicit rejection of the romantic comedy of his peers. It sticks quite carefully to the Aristotelian unities; the plot is a tightly woven mesh of act and reaction; the scenes a genial collection of depictions of everyday life in a large Renaissance city.\"

SHIPPING INFORMATION: All items are shipped the cheapestmethod unless otherwise specified. International customers welcome. International buyers email for a shipping quote. PLEASE NOTE INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS if you pay me the shipping cost I quoted for the USA area I will keep what you have paid and I will request the balance you owe to ship to your country. I will not mail your item until I receive it.

COMBINED SHIPPING: For most items such as prints, paper productsI will combine ship at the cost of shipping one piece. Items such as books there will be an increase in shipping cost but it is very slight.

PAYMENT INFORMATION:Paypal Preferred