27. Jacobean Drama

Question 1

What’s Ben Jonson’s lasting important works? What are their topics?

Answer 1

“The Alchemist”, “Volpane”, in which obsessions are described (for love/money).

Question 2

What’s the principal characteristic for Ben Jonson’s characters? In which work this characteristics is brought? Give an example.

Answer 2

Humour, how it governs a character. It’s reflected in such works as “Every Man in His Humour” and “Every Man Out Of his Humour”, which expands his theory of drama.

Question 3

What can you say about Ben Jonson’s tragedies? What kind of background does he have? What model does he use? What about his style? Is it one and the same or it may vary?

Answer 3

His background is classical, his tragedies severely Roman, following Latin models in subject matter and style. His style greatly varies.