1. Topic : Comparison between
Ben Jonson & William
Shakespeare.
Paper : 3, Literary Criticism.
Name : Gohil Khanjaniba M.
Roll no : 18.
Class : MA (Part-1).
Year : 2013/2014.
Submitted to : MKBU, Bhavnagar.
Khanjani.gohil1993@gmail.com

2. Shakespeare and Ben Jonson

4. Differences
William Shakespeare
Ben Jonson
 Shakespearian comedies
known for sub-plots.
 Follows ancient ”in all
things”.
 Livelihood.
 All kind of sub-plots,
destroys unity of an action.
 Really offers new terms of
Unities have narrowing and
cramping effects on the
French plays.
 Fletcher and Shakespeare
offers “excellent scenes”.
 No harm in introducing subplots.

5.  Moderns are vital in
comparison to the English.
 Lisideius favors Ben Jonson.
 Negative point is they live in
an awful age.
The major playwright established
in France : Corneille (1606-1684).
 According to Neander :
English is best at the lively
imitation of nature.
He also says that English tragiccomedies are absurd in the world.
French have also varieties but
they do not provide.

6.  French poesy is beautiful,
like a “statue”.
 Neander : French writers
are imitating the English
playwrights.
 English uses an element of
surprise.
 Brings an idea of
suspension.
 Fat plot.
 Tragedies based on well
known stories.
 Representation of complete
action.
 English play is a mere
compilation.

7. Neander
• He says : “I admired Ben Jonson but I love
Shakespeare.”

8. Thank you…