Showing results by author "Ben Jonson" in All Categories

Richard Burton narrates this famous dramatic chronicle of the English Crown, a treasure of the BBC radio archive published on audible for the very first time. Vivat Rex is the landmark drama series first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1977.

Richard Burton narrates the second volume of this famous dramatic chronicle of the English Crown, a treasure of the BBC radio archive published in audiobook for the very first time. Vivat Rex is the landmark drama series first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1977. Over the course of 26 installments, each one narrated by Richard Burton with a full cast, the fortunes of the English Crown are followed through 225 years of British history, from Edward II’s accession in 1307 to the birth of Elizabeth I.

This is a bitter, satiric comedy which concerns a wealthy, lecherous old man who pretends to be dying in order to profit from his greedy acquaintances.

Benjamin 'Ben' Jonson was born in June 1572. A contemporary of William Shakespeare, he is best known for his satirical plays Volpone, The Alchemist, and Bartholomew Fair and his equally accomplished lyric poems. A man of vast reading and a seemingly insatiable appetite for controversy, including time in jail and a penchant for switching faiths, Jonson had an unparalleled breadth of influence on Jacobean and Caroline playwrights and poets.

An outbreak of plague in London forces a gentleman, Lovewit, to flee temporarily to the country, leaving his house under the sole charge of his butler, Jeremy. Jeremy uses the opportunity given to him to use the house as the headquarters for fraudulent acts. He transforms himself into "Captain Face", and enlists the aid of Subtle, a fellow conman and Dol Common, a prostitute. In The Alchemist, Jonson unashamedly satirizes the follies, vanities and vices of mankind, most notably greed-induced credulity. People of all social classes are subject to Jonson's ruthless, satirical wit.

Our quoted authority is not the people in white coats but those with a quill, a heart and a soul that can take these feelings of love and loss and with the ink of words put to verse feelings and emotions that can be re-lived and shared by all. As they venture through depression, war, slavery to heartache and the loss of loved ones our eyes may mist and tears gently fall at what collectively we have done, have experienced, have witnessed and lost.

Whilst this given name and the poets included can seem at first glance broad and unmanageable, the name both historically and artistically is a near perfect fit. Those poets that pledged support to Charles I, a connoisseur and patron of fine arts, were in the main courtiers or closely aligned. Among their number were Robert Herrick, Richard Lovelace, Thomas Carew and Sir John Suckling. These poets shied away from verse on religion or philosophy but mused instead on love, joy and simpler things, very much living for the ‘now’.

Cynthias Revels, a captivating comical satire first performed in 1600, offers an intricate tapestry of wit and humor that surpasses its predecessor, Every Man Out of His Humour. This play delves deep into personal satire, showcasing a plethora of remarkable caricatures and sharp, insightful dialogue. While the central theme of a fountain of self-love may not be fully realized, the characters occasionally drift into abstraction and allegory, creating a unique theatrical experience. Join us as we explore this fascinating work! - Summary by Prof. Felix E. Schelling

In the midst of a plague outbreak in London, the gentleman Lovewit retreats to the countryside, leaving his house under the dubious care of his crafty butler, Jeremy. Seizing the chance, Jeremy adopts the guise of Captain Face and recruits the help of Subtle, a cunning conman, and Dol Common, a streetwise prostitute. In The Alchemist, Jonson boldly satirizes the follies and vices of humanity, particularly the gullibility fueled by greed. Through the lens of characters from all walks of life, Jonson exposes the absurdity of human weakness, especially in the face of enticing promises like youth ...

Christmas, they say, comes but once a year. In these days it seems to also last for much of that year - but this volume is not just for Christmas! For the religious amongst us, this annual celebration of the Birth of Christ must seem bitter sweet: it's acknowledgment by billions of people countered by the pervasive spread of material possessions translating the event to little more than a sales pitch for material wares.

The office of Poet Laureate is a high honour amongst poets. The ancient Greeks had the first idea, and their heroes and poets wore wreaths of laurel in honour of the god Apollo. Many countries now have a laureate, as do many societies and organisations. But perhaps ranked first among them all is that of our own Poet Laureate. Unfortunately no single authentic definitive record exists of the office of Poet Laureate of England. In some form it can be traced back to 1189 and Richard Canonicus, who was employed by Richard I with the title 'versificator Regis'.

Following the success of Jonsons Every Man In His Humour, Every Man Out of His Humour presents a delightful blend of satire and wit. While its plot may seem light, it serves as a vibrant caricature of the societal norms of Jonsons time, delivered through sharp dialogue and a fierce sense of indignation at literary pretensions. This play elevates the art of dramatic satire, drawing inspiration from the classical ideals of comedy and echoing the brilliance of Aristophanes. Prepare for a captivating exploration of character and humor that remains timeless.

In this captivating tale, Knowell, an aging gentleman rumored to have been portrayed by Shakespeare himself, seeks to uncover the secrets of his potentially wayward son. Meanwhile, merchant Kitely is consumed by paranoia over being cuckolded by his wife, and the tension only escalates with the arrival of a host of colorful characters. Will their insecurities and whims lead to chaos or clarity? Join us for a humorous exploration of human folly, expertly summarized by ToddHW.

In a world rife with vice, an inferior devil named Pug seeks to make his mark by tempting humanity towards evil. Summoned by Satan, Pug arrives in 1616 London, only to find himself tangled in a web of con artists, thieves, and seductresses surrounding the hapless Squire Fabian Fitzdottrel. As he navigates this chaotic landscape filled with cunning criminality, Pug discovers that the temptations he brings are but a mere whisper compared to the overwhelming vices already at play. Join us for a delightful exploration of mischief and morality as Pug learns that the true nature of temptation may be...

Here, in this volume history’s greatest poets convey thoughts, feelings and sentiments of love to you in quick (or bite-size) conversations of verse that can slip into your day and your partner's heart.

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford upon Avon in late April 1565. He was one of eight children. Little is known about his life, but what is evident is the enormous contribution he has made to world literature. His writing was progressive, magnificent in scope and breathtaking in execution. His plays and sonnets helped enable the English language to speak with a voice unmatched by any other. William Shakespeare died on 23 April 1616, survived by his wife and two daughters. He was buried two days after his death in the chancel of the Holy Trinity church.

The Elizabethan age had almost departed, and the world had seen the rise of great European empires that continued to hunt with mischief between themselves as they traversed the globe in search of more spoils and territories. In England, the Civil War had brought about the will of Parliament and the replacement of the Crown as the governing body. But with these Puritan times, and the subsequent Restoration, poetry had entered a golden age. John Milton, John Dryden and Ben Jonson are but a few of the luminaries whose great verse followed in the wake of the immortal William Shakespeare.

‘A dime a dozen’ as known in America, is perhaps equal to the English ‘cheap as chips’ but whatever the lingua franca of your choice in this series we hereby submit ‘A Rhyme a Dozen’ as 12 poems on many given subjects that are a well-rounded gathering, maybe even an essential guide, from the knowing pens of classic poets and their beautifully spoken verse to the comfort of your ears.