Ben Jonson (1572-1637) was a renowned English playwright and poet, best known for his satirical plays and his influence on English literature. A contemporary of Shakespeare, Jonson’s works such as “Volpone” and “The Alchemist” remain celebrated for their wit and craftsmanship.
Biography
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Jonson |
| Birth | c. 11 June 1572 |
| Death | c. 6 August 1637 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Playwright, Poet |
| Known For |
|
| Influence | Exerted a lasting influence on English poetry and stage comedy; popularised the comedy of humours. |
| Significance | Regarded as “the second most important English dramatist, after William Shakespeare, during the reign of James I.” |
| Education | Classically educated, well-read, and cultured |
| Influence Era |
|
Early Life
Ben Jonson, born on June 11, 1572, in Westminster, London, was an influential English playwright and poet. He was the posthumous son of a clergyman who had died a month before his birth. After his father’s death, his mother remarried a master bricklayer. Jonson was raised in Westminster, where he received a rigorous education at the prestigious Westminster School under the tutelage of the renowned classical scholar, William Camden. This early education laid the foundation for his profound knowledge of classical literature, which heavily influenced his later works. Despite his humble beginnings, Jonson’s family moved within London, and he was able to rise above his circumstances through his extraordinary talent and intellect, eventually becoming one of the most prominent literary figures of his time.
Family
| Relation | Name | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Unknown Jonson | Ben Jonson’s father was a clergyman who died shortly before Ben was born. He was a staunch supporter of the Protestant faith. |
| Mother | Unknown Jonson | Ben’s mother remarried a bricklayer after his father’s death. She was supportive of his education and literary pursuits. |
| Siblings | No known siblings | There are no records of Ben Jonson having any siblings. He was likely an only child. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Measurement | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | Not available |
| Weight | Not available |
| Chest | Not available |
| Waist | Not available |
| Hips | Not available |
| Shoe Size | Not available |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
Ben Jonson was married to Anne Lewis. They were married in 1594. Anne Lewis was the wife of the famous English playwright and poet Ben Jonson. Not much detailed information is available about Anne Lewis, but she shared her life with Jonson during his rise as a significant literary figure in the early 17th century.
There are no detailed records of Ben Jonson having multiple wives or girlfriends before his marriage to Anne Lewis. The historical records primarily focus on his professional achievements and his marriage to Anne Lewis.
Career, Achievements And Controversies
How He Became Famous
Ben Jonson, born in 1572, became famous primarily as a playwright and poet in the English Renaissance. His sharp wit, mastery of the English language, and innovative use of classical forms helped him gain a prominent place in literary history.
Career Start And Popular Works
Jonson’s career began in the late 16th century. He initially worked as an actor before turning to playwriting. His first major success came with the play Every Man in His Humour (1598), which was performed by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a company that included William Shakespeare.
Some of his most notable works include:
- Volpone (1606)
- The Alchemist (1610)
- Bartholomew Fair (1614)
- Every Man Out of His Humour (1599)
- Sejanus His Fall (1603)
Awards And Recognition
While the modern concept of literary awards did not exist during Jonson’s lifetime, he received significant recognition and patronage from both royalty and the aristocracy. King James I granted him an annual pension in 1616, effectively making him England’s first Poet Laureate.
Controversies
Jonson’s career was not without controversy. Some notable incidents include:
- Prison Sentences: Jonson was imprisoned several times. In 1597, he was jailed for his involvement in the play The Isle of Dogs, which was deemed seditious. Later, in 1605, he was briefly imprisoned for co-authoring the play Eastward Ho, which offended King James I.
- Dueling and Manslaughter: In 1598, Jonson killed actor Gabriel Spencer in a duel. He was arrested and narrowly escaped execution by pleading “benefit of clergy,” which allowed him to be tried in a more lenient ecclesiastical court.
- Criticisms and Rivalries: Jonson was known for his critical nature and had several literary feuds, most notably with playwrights John Marston and Thomas Dekker. These rivalries often played out in their works, with Jonson satirizing his adversaries in his plays and vice versa.
Faq
Ben Jonson (1572-1637) was an English playwright, poet, and actor, best known for his satirical plays and his influence on English literature. He was a contemporary of William Shakespeare and is often considered one of the greatest playwrights of the English Renaissance.
Some of Ben Jonson’s most famous works include the plays “Every Man in His Humour” (1598), “Volpone” (1606), “The Alchemist” (1610), and “Bartholomew Fair” (1614). He also wrote numerous masques for the royal court and a collection of poetry.
Ben Jonson and William Shakespeare were contemporaries and are believed to have had a complex relationship. While they were rivals in the literary world, Jonson expressed great admiration for Shakespeare’s work. In the preface to the First Folio of Shakespeare’s plays, Jonson famously wrote that Shakespeare “was not of an age, but for all time.”
Ben Jonson’s legacy in English literature is substantial. He is credited with popularizing the comedy of humours, a style of comedy that focuses on characters whose actions are governed by a particular trait or humour. His works have influenced many subsequent playwrights and poets. Jonson’s rigorous standards for literary excellence and his impact on the development of English drama are still recognized today.
Yes, Ben Jonson was involved in several controversies during his lifetime. Notably, he was imprisoned multiple times for his writings, which were sometimes deemed seditious or offensive. He also famously killed a fellow actor in a duel, for which he narrowly escaped execution by pleading benefit of clergy. Despite these controversies, Jonson maintained a prominent position in the literary world.
