Plot summary, “Bartholomew Fair” by Ben Jonson in 5 Minutes - Book Review
0"Bartholomew Fair" is a comedic play written by the English playwright Ben Jonson. It was first performed in 1614 and is one of Jonson's most famous works. The play is known for its satirical portrayal of contemporary London society and its vibrant and chaotic depiction of the annual Bartholomew Fair, a real-life event that took place in London during the early 17th century.
The play is set at Bartholomew Fair, a bustling and raucous event that attracted people from all walks of life, including traders, entertainers, thieves, and common folk. Jonson uses the fair as a backdrop to satirize various aspects of London society, including its morality, politics, and religious extremism.
Key characters in the play include:
Zeal-of-the-Land Busy: A Puritan preacher who represents religious extremism and hypocrisy.
Justice Overdo: A magistrate who disguises himself as a madman to investigate the fair's illicit activities.
Win Littlewit and his wife, Dame Purecraft: A newly married couple who become entangled in the fair's chaos.
Quarlous and Grace Wellborn: Two characters who try to outwit each other and the other fairgoers.
"Bartholomew Fair" is a farcical and boisterous play filled with wordplay, physical comedy, and over-the-top characters. It explores themes such as the clash between moral righteousness and human folly, the corruption of authority figures, and the chaotic nature of urban life.
Ben Jonson's play is also notable for its use of dialects and accents to represent the diverse range of characters at the fair, providing a vivid and realistic portrayal of the linguistic diversity of London in the early 17th century.
While "Bartholomew Fair" may not be as frequently performed or studied as some of Jonson's other works, it remains an important piece of Jacobean comedy and satire. It offers valuable insights into the social and cultural dynamics of the era and provides a lively and entertaining depiction of a historical event that once captivated the people of London.