“Humour” of Jonson: Analyzing Every Man in a Sense of Satire

In Every Man And His Humour, Ben Jonson generates an authentic theme and atmosphere. There is a shameful position and assailant apprehensions on the characters. The play starts with old man Knowell and Stephen, cousin Edward. The situations of each character based on what it’s been said in the prologue; a criticism of the follies maden by people, mocking with those situations. This humourous characters imply the prologue’s summary. With overriding traits and specialities of the characters; Ben Jonson tried to understood the readers to realize the type of the humour. With powerful methaphors, Jonson showed the characters’ follies and dispositions. Distunguishing humour in two parts as a true and adopted humour; Jonson use irony and metaphors in the prologue between two distinguished humours. 

After the introduction and dramatis personae’s emphasizing, the prologue takes place. In the prologue, with saying ‘sport with human follies, not with crimes’, Jonson showed that he interested in displaying human folly in the stage and play. There are two basic and main points why Jonson tried to aimed using these follies: First one was criticizing Elizebethian society, and the second one is enjoying readers or audiences with this follies, entertaining them with teaching, showing to them. Jonson lay out the genre of comedy itself with these lines as a dominant and general point:

“Some one peculiar quality

Doth so possess a man, that it doth draw

All his affects, his spirits, and his powers,

In their confluctions, all to run one way."

What the characters would go through as an ensuing actions make different this play. For instance, Kitely is pretty sure about his wife’s affair, cheating; even though there is no proof about that, it is just an idea of Kitely. Different characters and their point of views demonstrated and strenghten the idea of ‘human follies’ and their surfaces on that point: 

“KIT:

Well, to be plain, if I but thought the time

Had answer'd their affections, all the world

Should not persuade me but I were a cuckold.

Marry, I hope they have not got that start;

For opportunity hath balk'd them yet,

And shall do still, while I have eyes and ears

To attend the impositions of my heart.”

Ben Jonson try to make readers informed about play. Thus, he used the form of prologue and talked about the human follies and other points related to general parts of the play. The prologue is comprised of Ben Jonson’s thoughts, and ideas as an expression. He mentioned and referred his own time, area, and states in addition to the human follies, but not with crimes. In addition to addressing human follies, Jonson's prologue also acknowledges the broader context of his era, touching upon the complexities of the Elizabethan society in which the play is set. He critiques the values and conventions of the time, highlighting the clash between personal desires and societal expectations. However, Jonson does so with a sense of humor and irony, never resorting to harsh moralizing or judgment. The play, much like its prologue, invites the audience to laugh at the absurdity of human nature, yet also to consider the deeper lessons beneath the humor.

Ultimately, Every Man in His Humour offers a sophisticated blend of comedy and social commentary, using its characters' exaggerated traits to illuminate the flaws of society and the individual. Through the prologue, Jonson sets the stage for a playful yet insightful exploration of the human condition, encouraging his audience to laugh at the follies of others while reflecting on their own:

Brid. Servant, what is this same, I pray you?

Mat. Marry, an elegy, an elegy, an odd toy—

Dow. To mock an ape withal! O, I could sew up his mouth, now.

Dame K. Sister, I pray you let's hear it.

Dow. Are you rhyme-given too?

Mat. Mistress, I'll read it if you please.

Brid. Pray you do, servant.

Dow. O, here's no foppery! Death! I can endure the stocks better.

                             [Exit.