Southern Oregon University
OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
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For one of Shakespeare’s closest friends and rivals Ben Jonson, most men were basically crooks, con men or cuckolds; and most women were bawds, backbiters or social climbers. He knew of what he wrote. He was a jailbird. He was a convicted murderer and a suspected traitor. Unlike Shakespeare, Jonson believed the purpose of comedy was to “make men better.” So Jonson, to shame Londoners, reveled in rubbing their noses in the iniquities of their contemporary life. And they enjoyed this rubbing no less! From 1598 to 1616, he regaled London with some of the greatest comedies ever written in English: “Volpone,” “The Alchemist,” “The Silent Woman” and “Bartholomew Fair,” among others. If you believe that scoundrels rule our world, you already have a leg up to appreciate Jonson.
NOTE: No text is required, but there will be a field trip to Hannon Library to view the first editions of Jonson’s two collected “workes” (1616 and 1641). Signed liability waiver required to participate.
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