8-4Jonson

Ben Jonson //Answer prepared by Hudson B//

Ben Jonson was a fantastic play writer that lived during the Shakespeare era. He was born in London on June 11, 1572 and attended Westminster School. He decided to take up bricklaying, his stepfather’s trade, but he was not pleased by this job and decided to join the army. When Jonson resigned from the army in 1592, he joined the theatrical company of Philip Henslowe where he became an actor and a playwright. In 1597, Jonson was imprisoned for involvement in satire that was declared seditious by authorities. The next year, Ben Jonson killed an actor named Gabriel Spencer and was charged with murder. He managed to escape being hung by pleading benefit of clergy. Benefit of clergy allowed criminals to receive exemption from trial and punishment in a civil court, and were either discharged or sentenced with one year in prison.

Ben Jonson had a good rivalry and friendship with William Shakespeare. Jonson was often criticized for not having as much poetic power and lacking the gift to create realistic characters. Although, he never attempted to write like Shakespeare and according to the book The Age of Shakespeare, Jonson was often openly critical of him. Ben Jonson disliked the popular styles of drama and felt it needed change. Instead, he liked to write comedies.

In 1598, Jonson performed a play called Every Man in His Humour. This play was extremely popular and is believed to have made Ben Jonson famous. Jonson’s best work rested during 1605-1614 when Jonson began to write Masques for the entertainment of the court. 1615-1627 were tough years for Jonson, as he was discouraged by critics. But, many people told Jonson that he was still great and it motivated him to keep working. In 1628, Jonson was appointed City Chronologer of London. The City Chronologer was responsible for the city’s pageants. Jonson died in 1637, and left his last play, Sad Sheppard’s Tale, unfinished. Ben Jonson lived a fulfilling life and was considered one of the best play writers of the time.

Works Cited "Ben Jonson - Relationship with Shakespeare." //Globe Oneness//. 14 Apr 2009 . "Ben Jonson." Web.14 Apr 2009. . Greenblatt, Stephen. //Will in the World How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare//. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2005. Print. Laroque, Francois. //The Age of Shakespeare//. Abrams: Abrams, 1993. Print. "The Life of Ben Jonson." 14 Apr 2009 <http "Benefit of Clergy." //Encyclopedia.com//. 14 Apr 2009