AP+Ben+Jonson

1.) [|Visual Link] [|Visual Link]  2.) Ben Jonson- Audience 3.) Megan Litwicki 4.) Analysis/Explanation: Ben Jonson’s plays were filled with unsavory ideas for his time, particularly in relation to politics, making his intended audience refined to authority figures. He reveled in controversy, and therefore targeted those who would be perturbed by his insubordinate works. A short biography on Ben Jonson reveals, “Jonson's next play, the classical tragedy //Sejanus, His Fall// (1603), based on Roman history and offering an astute view of dictatorship, again got Jonson into trouble with the authorities” ( Jokinen). Jonson shows a fearless nature when he “base”-s a “tragedy” on the powers of “dictatorship.” Being an Englishman and living under a monarchy, this particular idea of “dictatorship” and displaying it in such an “astute” light was an unheard of action. It is clear the target of his intents is the government, as it is “authorities” who are angry with his play. The relation between “//Sejanus, His Fall”// and the negative response of the “authorities” blatantly proves the effect that Jonson was going for; upset. By catering towards an audience that strongly responds to his work, Jonson was able to get attention put towards his ideas.

While authority figures are a major audience Jonson writes towards, he also widens his view to the common man. One biography of his life describes that Ben Jonson was “…endowed beyond any other writer of his day with the satirist's gifts, Ben Jonson with his originality, his clearly defined principles of art, and his impatience with anything but the best” (Baskerville). By characterizing Jonson as a “satirist,” it becomes apparent that Jonson desired to draw attention towards the flaws within humanity. He utilizes this “gift” to put forth the thought that man is not perfect, and that improvement is necessary. To aid his “satire,” Jonson has “impatience” for “anything but the best,” also demonstrating his desire to address the common man as a mass. The public, in Jonson’s opinion, has faults that are below the “best,” which then reflects in the works he writes. In this way, the audience that is most affected by Jonson’s plays and writings are those that suffer from the same imperfections. By utilizing “satire” and striving towards the “best,” Jonson clearly searched to direct his efforts at the general public and their shortcomings.

5.) Works Cited: Baskerville, Charles. “Ben Jonson.” //TheatreHistory.com.// TheatreHistory.com. Web. 4  January 2011.

Jokinen, Anniina. "The Life of Ben Jonson.” //Luminarium.// Luminarium. Web. 4 January 2011.

1) http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/jonson/

2) Ben Jonson: Historical

3) Jamie Stevens

4) Ben Jonson impacted history in a number of ways. His biggest historical influence was on plays. One of his influences is analyzed, arguing, “Regarded as the era's leading dramatist after William Shakespeare, Jonson influenced later playwrights, notably in the dramatic characterization of Restoration comedies” ([]). Much of Jonson’s historical influence was made possible through him being a “leading dramatist” who changed the world of “playwrights”. He was influential to the extent that he was compared to “William Shakespeare”, another “leading dramatist”. Jonson “notably” changed “dramatic characterization”, making himself a role model for other “playwrights” using this in their writing. Specifically, he positively altered this “characterization” in “Restoration comedies”, which were very popular during Jonson’s time. Because he significantly impacted “playwrights” throughout history, he “influenced” his entire time as a whole.

Ben Jonson also had an impact on history with the subjects he wrote his plays about. The themes Jonson incorporated into his plays often did not correspond with the moral ideals of his society. Anniina Jokinen covers Jonson’s rebellion, arguing, “ The classical tragedy //Sejanus, His Fall//, offering an astute view of dictatorship, again got Jonson into trouble with the authorities. Jonson was called before the Privy Council on charges of 'popery and treason'…and for controversial views” (Jokinen). In one of Jonson’s plays, he conveyed a unique message about “dictatorship”, which the public/”authorities” perceived negatively. “Authorities” thought this represented “popery and treason”, affecting the history of England by putting it in danger. Jonoson’s “controversial views” on “dictatorship” showed betrayal of his country, which could possibly be harmful to England. England “authorities” therefore imprisoned him to ensure that these “controversial views” would not further change England for the worse. Consequently, England was historically affected through Jonson’s “charge” of “treason”.

5) Works Cited: “Ben Jonson”. //Answers.com.// Answers Corporation. Web. 4 January 2012. Jokinen, Anniina. "The Life of Ben Jonson.” //Luminarium.// Luminarium. Web. 4 January 2011.

1. [] 2. Aim 3. Will Cross 4. Analysis: Ben Johnson was a very well known poet and playwright. He was a contemporary Shakespeare in many aspects of the time. His poetry as well as his plays were seen in a positive light because of their comedy and their cast. Anniina Jokinen, a writer who has become very familiar with the life and times of Ben Johnson, writes, “Johnson became a celebrity, and there was a brief fashion for 'humors' comedy, a kind of topical comedy involving eccentric characters, each of whom represented a temperament, or humor, of humanity” (Jokinen). This humorous approach to theater and humanity is what separated him from many of the poets and playwrights of the time. His writings were aimed at bringing out the darker sides of the current problems in a comical way. Ben Johnson himself wrote, "They say Princes learn no art truly, but the art of horsemanship. The reason is, the brave beast is no flatterer. He will throw a prince as soon as his groom" (Johnson). Through the horse’s prejudice toward anyone, instead of to only the “lowly” groom, Johnson expresses the inconsequentiality of classes outside of society.

Works Cited: "Ben Jonson Quotes." //Famous Poets and Poems - Read and Enjoy Poetry//. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. Jokinen, Anniina. "The Life of Ben Jonson (1572-1637)." //Luminarium: Anthology of// //English Literature//. Web. 04 Jan. 2012.

1.)[|Image] 2.) Ben Jonson- Culture

3.) Xavier McLallen

4.) Analysis/Explanation:

 Ben Jonson was constantly criticized for not writing in the style of his contemporaries, namely Shakespeare. Due to the criticism of authority within his plays, Jonson is described as “… endowed beyond any other writer of his day with the satirist's gifts, ... his originality, his clearly defined principles of art, and his impatience with anything but the best” (Baskerville). As Jonson is depicted as a “satirist,” it is made clear that the culture of his time had many serious problems which he felt needed to be addressed. Additionally, the fact that he was “impatient with anything but the best” exhibits Jonson's belief that society was in fact not “the best”. By using his “gifts” to address these problems of man's flaws, Jonson makes an attempt to change society and show how they could become “the best”.  Though he is often compared to Shakespeare, Jonson was influential to later cultures in his own right. His satire and attempts to improve society inspired “the Cavalier poets, a group which included, among others, Robert Herrick, Thomas Carew, Sir John Suckling, and Richard Lovelace” (Jokinen). Jonson's ability to criticize authority gave rise to “the Cavalier poets” and their respective forms and styles of poetry. Ranging from Romantics to Secularist poets, “the Cavalier poets” as a whole were inspired by Jonson, and enabled by his strength and boldness, Jonson's influence on such well-known poets as “Richard Lovelace” and “Thomas Carew” displays his impact on literary styles outside his own satire.

5.) Works Cited:

Baskerville, Charles. “Ben Jonson.” //TheatreHistory.com. // TheatreHistory.com. Web. 4

January 2011.

Jokinen, Anniina. "The Life of Ben Jonson.” //Luminarium. // Luminarium.

Web. 4 January 2011.