Ben Jonson (1572–1637) was a towering figure of English Renaissance literature, known for his sharp wit, classical learning, and mastery of both drama and poetry. A contemporary and friendly rival of William Shakespeare, Jonson helped shape the early modern English stage and was a dominant literary voice during the Jacobean era.
Jonson’s early life was marked by hardship. After his father’s death, he was raised by his stepfather, a bricklayer. Though briefly educated at Westminster School, Jonson did not attend university, yet he developed an enduring love for classical literature, which greatly influenced his style. His military service in the Netherlands and time in prison (after killing a man in a duel) added to his complex character.
He gained fame with Every Man in His Humour (1598), in which Shakespeare reportedly acted. Jonson perfected the comedy of humours, a genre where characters are driven by a single dominant trait or obsession. His best-known comedies include Volpone (1606), a dark satire on greed; The Alchemist (1610), which mocks gullibility and fraud; and Bartholomew Fair (1614), which presents a vivid panorama of London life.
Jonson was also an accomplished poet. His lyric poems, such as To Celia (“Drink to me only with thine eyes”), show a refined control of language and classical influence. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1616 and wrote many court masques, blending poetry, music, and spectacle to entertain King James I and his court.
Despite his occasional arrogance and quarrelsome nature, Jonson mentored a generation of writers known as the “Sons of Ben.” His influence on English drama and poetry was immense. Through his commitment to classical ideals and biting social commentary, Ben Jonson left a legacy that continues to inform English literary tradition.
