Cynthia's Revels; Or, The Fountain of Self-Love

Name: Cynthia's Revels; Or, The Fountain of Self-Love
Author: Ben Jonson

By Ben Jonson

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British Literature Humour Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

A courtly masque unfolds as a festive company stages allegorical entertainments that expose vanity, literary pretension, and social affectation. Comic scenes and caricatured humours bring forward flatterers, fops, and rival personalities whose expectant performances invite satire. Songs, formal interludes, and witty exchanges punctuate the action while moral observation and theatrical artifice interrogate ego and reputation. The plot resolves by unmasking hypocrisy and tempering extremes of self-regard, restoring a negotiated social balance while leaving the audience to assess the characters’ follies.

About the Author

Ben Jonson

Ben Jonson (1572-1637) was an influential English playwright and poet, renowned for his sharp wit and keen observations of human nature. A contemporary of William Shakespeare, Jonson's works often explore themes of social satire and moral complexity. He is best known for his comedies, including "Volpone" and "The Alchemist," which showcase his mastery of language and character development. Jonson also contributed significantly to the genre of the comedy of humours, emphasizing the interplay of personality traits in his characters. His literary legacy includes not only plays but also poetry and critical essays, establishing him as a pivotal figure in the development of English drama.