Ben Jonson and Posterity: Reception, Reputation, Legacy

Ben Jonson and Posterity explores Jonson's reception and legacy over four centuries, featuring critical perspectives on book history, reading practices, theatrical influence, cultural representation, and more. It will be of interest to Jonson scholars and scholars of early modern literature, theatre, and reception.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 271 pages
Publication date: 03 November 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Ben Jonson and Posterity is a groundbreaking work that delves into the multifaceted and enigmatic reception and legacy of the renowned English writer over four centuries. Recognized as the preeminent English writer of his time, Jonson has left an indelible mark on subsequent generations, yet his reputation remains one of the most complex and contentious among early modern writers. This comprehensive volume brings together a diverse range of critical perspectives, encompassing book history, reading practices, theatrical influence, adaptation, performance history, cultural representation in portraiture, film, fiction, and anecdotes. Through these diverse lenses, the book aims to interrogate Jonson's myth and unravel the various layers of his artistic significance.

The collection will be of immense interest to Jonson scholars, as well as appealing to a broader audience of early modern literary scholars, theatre historians, and scholars engaged in intertextuality and reception from the Renaissance to the present day. It offers a rich and comprehensive exploration of Jonson's life and work, shedding light on his artistic achievements, cultural impact, and enduring influence on the literary world.

The first chapter, titled "Jonson and the Book," explores the historical context of Jonson's writing and the role of the book in his artistic practice. It examines the materiality of the book, its production, distribution, and reception in Jonson's time, as well as the ways in which Jonson's writing intersected with the broader literary and cultural landscape. The chapter also discusses Jonson's use of literary allusions, references, and intertextuality, highlighting his ability to create complex and layered narratives that draw on a wide range of sources.

The second chapter, titled "Reading Jonson," delves into the practice of reading Jonson's works and the ways in which his writing has been interpreted and analyzed over the centuries. It explores the various critical approaches to Jonson's poetry, prose, and drama, including historical criticism, structuralism, postcolonialism, and new historicism. The chapter also discusses the influence of Jonson's writing on subsequent literary movements, such as the Romantic and Victorian eras, and the ways in which his works have been adapted and reinterpreted in modern media, such as film and television.

The third chapter, titled "Theatrical Influence and Adaptation," examines Jonson's profound influence on the theatrical world. It explores his contributions to the development of English drama, his use of theatrical devices and techniques, and his influence on the performance of his works. The chapter also discusses Jonson's adaptations of other literary works, such as Shakespeare's plays, and the ways in which these adaptations have shaped the development of theatrical performance.

The fourth chapter, titled "Performance History and Cultural Representation," explores Jonson's relationship with performance and his role in shaping cultural representations of the early modern period. It examines the ways in which Jonson's works have been staged and performed over the centuries, including the impact of different theatrical traditions, such as the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras, on the interpretation and reception of his works. The chapter also discusses Jonson's use of portraiture, film, fiction, and anecdotes to represent and explore the cultural values and beliefs of his time.

The fifth chapter, titled "Jonson and Posterity," examines Jonson's legacy and the ways in which his works have continued to resonate with readers and audiences over the centuries. It explores the ways in which Jonson's reputation has evolved and changed, from his initial recognition as the outstanding English writer of his day to his contemporary reputation as a complex and multifaceted figure. The chapter also discusses the ways in which Jonson's works have been celebrated and commemorated, including the establishment of the Ben Jonson Society and the publication of scholarly editions of his works.

In conclusion, Ben Jonson and Posterity is a groundbreaking work that offers new insights into the multifaceted and enigmatic reception and legacy of the renowned English writer over four centuries. Through a diverse range of critical perspectives and a comprehensive exploration of Jonson's life and work, the book sheds light on his artistic achievements, cultural impact, and enduring influence on the literary world. It will be of immense interest to Jonson scholars, as well as appealing to a broader audience of early modern literary scholars, theatre historians, and scholars engaged in intertextuality and reception from the Renaissance to the present day.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 151 x 227 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108822503