Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 16, 2025
Had his object not been to strike the most popular of the stage-poets Shakspere he would have been bound to make an exception for that name of which everyone must have thought first when stage-poets were subjected to reproof. We repeat: Jonson only intended measuring himself against him who was the greatest of his time. This was fully in accordance with his disputatious inclination.
When the stage is raised on the theatre for Volpone, who is disguised as a quacksalver, Sir Politick wishes to enlighten Peregrine as to the fellows that 'mount the bank. We need not explain that this is directed against the 'so-called stage-poets' and players.
In the observance of the technical rules of the classic drama this much Jonson could certainly prove to the world he was superior to Shakspere. The severe words: 'monstrous and forced action, can only refer to a drama written not long before; for, in 'Volpone, Jonson wishes to give to the stage-poets of his time his own ideal of a drama.
In order to attract the crowd, the stage-poets had to present their dishes with the condiments of actual life; thus studying more the taste of the guests than showing that of the cook. Prologues and Epilogues always appealed more to the public at large as the highest judge; its verdict alone was held to be the decisive one.
That the 'railing rhetoric' in which such a character was derided, could not be contained in a satirical poem, but had reference to a drama, is proved, as already explained, by the fact of Jonson's wrath being directed against the stage-poets.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking