Experiments in stage satire

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This book analyses the problematic structure of Ben Jonson's three comical satires, and shows them to be an adaptation of Roman verse satire for the stage. Jonson was a self-conscious classicist, writing with an eye to both classical literature and theory. The plays are read in the light of Jonson's own precepts, as expressed in the plays themselves, rather than from any external perspective, such as that of the traditional unities. From the existing classical models, Jonson was trying to create a new dramatic genre, suitable for his own age. These plays constitute an exciting experiment in dramatic form, from which much can be learned about Jonson's development as an artist.