Five Plays (World's Classics S.) - Softcover

Ben Jonson

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0192817825 ISBN 13: 9780192817822

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1988

Synopsis

Published in 1988 by Oxford University Press in paperback, 604pp, ISBN 0192817825, this is 'Five Plays' by Ben Jonson and introduced by G. A. Wilkes. Contents: Introduction; Note on the text; Select Bibliography; Chronology; Abbreviations; PLAYS: 1. Every Man in His Humour; 2. Sejanus; 3. Volpone, or the Fox; 4. The Alchemist; Bartholomew Fair. The five plays in this collection represent the complexity of Jonson's art as a playwright. His first important play, Every Man in his Humour, performed in its first version in 1598 and later revised so that an English setting replaced an Italian one, represents the high point of the 'humours' comedy with which Jonson is always associated. Sejanus, acted in 1603, is an experiment in tragedy on classical principles. It is a disturbing analysis of political power, and caused Jonson to be summoned before the Privy Council. Volpone (performed in 1606) and The Alchemist (performed in 1610) are Jonson's most distinctive comedies, set among a world of rogues and dissemblers, with a strong moral and satirical intention, which exposes trickery and yet seems also to delight in it, and allows no illusion to survive. The later comedy Bartholomew Fair, acted in 1614, is more tolerant of human weakness as it is more relaxed in form, and is now perhaps the most attractive of Jonson's plays. The text is that of the modernized version of Herford and Simpson's edition (Oxford, 1925-52) published in 'The Complete Plays', ed. G. A. Wilkes, 1981-2

About this title

Review:

"This a handy edition for teacher and student."--Robert C. Steensma, University of Utah"This is the right selection, balanced intelligently. The accompanying information is useful and appropriate."--Dorothy H. Jacobs, University of Rhode Island "This a handy edition for teacher and student."--Robert C. Steensma, University of Utah "This is the right selection, balanced intelligently. The accompanying information is useful and appropriate."--Dorothy H. Jacobs, University of Rhode Island "This a handy edition for teacher and student."--Robert C. Steensma, University of Utah "This is the right selection, balanced intelligently. The accompanying information is useful and appropriate."--Dorothy H. Jacobs, University of Rhode Island "This a handy edition for teacher and student."--Robert C. Steensma, University of Utah"This is the right selection, balanced intelligently. The accompanying information is useful and appropriate."--Dorothy H. Jacobs, University of Rhode Island

Synopsis:

A modernized version of Herford and Simpson's 1925-52 edition of five plays by Ben Jonson (1572/3 - 1637), whose plays were first performed by, his contemporary, Shakespeare and his company. The five plays are: "Volpone", "The alchemist", "Bartholomew fair", "Every man in his humour" and "Sejanus".

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1988
• ISBN 10: 0192817825
• ISBN 13: 9780192817822
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 628
• Editor: G. A. Wilkes