
Set in Ancient Rome, "Poetaster" offers one of the first and most subtle statements in English of the Augustan cultural ideal. Jonson contrasts Augustus' wise rule with an English polity dominated (like the stage) by malice, intrigue and envy. This text examines these different...

Poetaster is a late Elizabethan satirical comedy written by Ben Jonson that was first performed in 1601. The play formed one element in the back-and-forth exchange between Jonson and his rivals John Marston and Thomas Dekker in the so-called Poetomachia or War of the Theatres...

THE greatest of English dramatists except Shakespeare, the first literary dictator and poet-laureate, a writer of verse, prose, satire, and criticism who most potently of all the men of his time affected the subsequent course of English letters: such was Ben Jonson, and as such...




Poetaster is a late Elizabethan satirical comedy written by Ben Jonson that was first performed in 1601.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections
such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact,
or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe...

The Poetaster is a play written by English playwright and poet Ben Jonson. It was first performed in 1601 and is a satire of the literary scene in Elizabethan England. The play revolves around the character of Crispinus, a young poet who is mocked by his peers for his lack of...


This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections
such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact,
or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe...


This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original...




"Poetaster" is a satirical comedy by Ben Jonson, first performed in 1601. Set in ancient Rome during the reign of Augustus, the play follows the literary and personal conflicts of various poets and playwrights. Jonson uses the setting to satirize his contemporaries and critics,...

The Poetaster is a play written by Ben Jonson in 1601. It is a satirical comedy that pokes fun at the literary pretensions of Jonson's contemporary poets. The play is set in ancient Rome and follows the story of two rival poets, Ovid and Crispinus, who are vying for the patronage...


Poetaster, likely written in 1601, is a satirical comedy by Ben Jonson that provides insight into the literary world of the early 17th century. Set in ancient Rome, the play critiques contemporary poets and playwrights, including Jonson's rivals John Marston and Thomas...

Johnson coined the term poetmaster, which he defined as "an inferior poet with pretensions to artistic value". Ben Johnson was an English Renaissance dramatist, poet and actor. He is known for his satirical plays such as Volpone, The Alchemist, and Bartholomew Fair. Johnson was...

"The Poetaster" from Ben Jonson. Playwright, poet, and literary critic of the seventeenth century (1572-1637).

Excerpt from Poetaster: And Satiromastix Another period of Dekker's career might be marked ofl' from 1602 to 1613. In this latter year he fell once more into the hands of the law, and was confined till 1616 in the King's Bench Prison. Verses written that year from...