Ben Jonson: The Master of Humours

Hareshwar Roy,
Ben Jonson: The Master of Humours

Ben Jonson is a very popular figure of the English Renaissance. His unique brilliance made him great. He appeared as a master of satire and social commentary. He crafted comedies that dissected the follies and vices of his age. He was not just a playwright but he was a literary critic, a poet and a great scholar. He sought to elevate the status of English drama, grounding it in classical principles. In a world full of follies, Ben Jonson's plays remind us to laugh at our own obsessions and shortcomings.
Ben Jonson was born in 1572 in London. He received a classical education at Westminster School. He later worked as a bricklayer, but his true calling was literature. Jonson’s life was marked by both fame and scandal. He served as a soldier. He was imprisoned for killing a fellow actor in a duel and converted to Catholicism before returning to the Anglican Church. He was friend of Shakespeare. His brilliance made him a popular figure in the literary circle of London. He often visited taverns. He earned great admiration of younger writers. He was even appointed the first Poet Laureate of England.
Jonson's most significant contribution to drama is his concept of the ‘comedy of humours.’ From the ancient and medieval medical theory Jonson came to know that there are four bodily fluids or humours. These fluids are -blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm. These govern a person's temperament. Jonson used this idea as a foundation for his characterization.
In Jonson's plays, a 'humour' is a fixed peculiarity of personality. It governs the actions of characters and distorts their view of the world. For example, a character might be so consumed by greed or jealousy that this one obsession can define his entire personality. Jonson uses this device to show how a single vice can make people behave absurdly. With the help of this device he satirizes human follies.
Jonson has composed several plays. Some of them are considered masterpieces of English comedy. Every Man in His Humour (1598),Volpone, or The Fox (1606), The Alchemist (1610) and Bartholomew Fair (1614) are his most popular works.
Every Man in His Humour introduced his theory of humours and brought him widespread acclaim. It satirizes the affectations and follies of various Londoners. Volpone, or The Fox is a biting satire on greed and cunning. The Alchemist is often considered his finest work. This play is a fantastic comedy about a group of rogues. These rogues set up a fake alchemy operation during the plague and cheat innocent Londoners. Bartholomew Fair is a lively play that provides a panoramic view of the London underclass at a popular fair. It satirizes Puritans and other social types.
Jonson’s plays are not merely funny; they are also deeply intellectual and moral. The central theme in his works is the exposure and correction of vice and folly. He uses comedy as a tool to mock human failings like greed, hypocrisy, lust, and intellectual pretension. His characters are not complex. They are psychologically deep individuals. They are types, or caricatures. Each character of Jonson represents a specific humour or vice. Their names often reveal their personality. This kind of characterization makes the satire clear and direct.
Jonson’s plots are proof of his craftsmanship. These plots are constructed logically. In his plot making Jonson has followed the classical unities of time, place and action. He uses a cause-and-effect structure. One event directly leads to the next here. A satisfying resolution is put before the audience.
His writing style is known for its precision, wit and learning. Jonson was a master of prose and verse. He uses vivid and realistic dialogue. He was a true scholar. His plays are packed with classical allusions and learned references.
Jonson was a meticulous artist. He crafted his works with the precision of an architect and the moral purpose of a philosopher. His plays do not entertain only but educate too. His influence on English comedy is undeniable. He taught generations of playwrights the power of satire.
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Location: B-37, City Homes Colony, Jawahar Nagar Satna, Madhya Pradesh, India
Currently Dr. Roy is working as Professor of English at Govt. P.G. College Satna, Madhya Pradesh. He is the author of the following books: (1) Diasporic Articulation in the Novels of M.G. Vassanji (2) A Study of M.G. Vassanji 's Novels (3) Varieties of Indianity in the Works of M.G. Vassanji & Rohinton Mistry (4)Diaspora & Indian Diaspora: A Brief Study (5) Short Notes of English Literature - I (6) Short Notes of English Literature - II (7) हमार पहचान ह भोजपुरी - भोजपुरी कविता संकलन (8) हमरा प्यार हो गइल - भोजपुरी गज़ल संकलन (9) भोजपुरी कविताएँ

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