Every Man In His Humour: A PLAY

“”Every Man in His Humour”” is a comedy play written by Ben Jonson and first performed in 1598 by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, with William Shakespeare reportedly in the cast. This play is a seminal work in the development of English comedy, marking a departure from the romanticized characters and plots of its predecessors to a more realistic portrayal of contemporary life and society. Setting and Plot The play is set in London, though the original version was set in Florence. Jonson later revised the play to reflect a more familiar English setting. Plot Summary: The play centers around the misadventures and misunderstandings of a diverse group of characters, each representing a particular “”humour”” or personality trait. Main Characters and Their Humours: Old Knowell: a wealthy country gentleman who becomes concerned about his son’s activities in London. Young Edward Knowell: Old Knowell’s scholarly and poetry-loving son, who seeks to explore life in the city. Brainworm: A servant to Old Knowell, known for his cunning and deceptive nature. Captain Bobadill: a boastful and cowardly soldier, who is a caricature of the braggart soldier type. Justice Clement: A jovial and wise magistrate who ultimately resolves the play’s conflicts. Master Stephen: A country gull, obsessed with fashion and somewhat foolish. Master Mathew: a town gull, who is pretentious and affected. Kitely: A merchant plagued by irrational jealousy over his wife, Dame Kitely. Dame Kitely: Kitely’s wife, who is exasperated by her husband’s unfounded suspicions. Wellbred: Kitely’s brother-in-law, who enjoys causing trouble and stirring up conflicts. Storylines: Young Knowell’s Rebellion: Young Knowell, eager to escape his father’s control, heads to London to experience the city’s vibrant life. He gets involved with a group of misfits. Kitely’s Jealousy: Kitely is consumed by paranoia that his wife is unfaithful, leading to a series of comic misunderstandings and confrontations. The Gulls’ Antics: Stephen and Mathew provide comic relief with their absurd pretensions and gullibility, easily manipulated by the more cunning characters. Themes 1. The Nature of Humours: Jonson’s play is an exploration of the theory of humours, where each character’s dominant trait drives their actions and interactions. 2. Social Satire: Jonson satirizes the various foibles and affectations of Elizabethan society, from the pretentiousness of urban sophisticates to the rustic naivety of country folk. 3. Deception and Disguise: the play is replete with acts of deception, primarily orchestrated by Brainworm, who adopts multiple disguises to manipulate other characters. 4. Authority and Rebellion: the tension between authority and rebellion is depicted through the relationship between Old Knowell and his son. This dynamic reflects broader themes of generational conflict and the desire for autonomy. 5. Justice and Resolution: Justice Clement serves as the moral and social arbiter, whose judicious intervention resolves the play’s conflicts. His role underscores the importance of wisdom and temperance in governance. Literary Significance “”Every Man in His Humour”” is significant for its realistic portrayal of contemporary life and its influence on the development of English comedy. Jonson’s focus on character-driven humor and social critique set a precedent for later playwrights. His use of London as a setting allowed for a direct commentary on the society of his time, making the play both a work of entertainment and a social document. —- ISBN: 9798333320407