Every Man out of His Humour

Name: Every Man out of His Humour
Author: Ben Jonson

By Ben Jonson

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British Literature Humour Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

A five-act city comedy follows a circle of acquaintances whose exaggerated temperaments and manners produce misunderstandings, public quarrels, and comic embarrassments. By staging intersecting plots of deception, satire, and attempted reproof, the work targets fashionable affectations, rhetorical posturing, and social pretension through sharp verbal exchange and theatrical contrivance. Episodes alternate between private encounters and public spectacle, culminating in ironic comeuppances and tentative reconciliations that underline the playwright's examination of human folly, the period theory of humours, and the corrective aims of comic satire.

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.