The Poetaster
1913
The Poetaster is a comedic play by Ben Jonson, first published in 1913, that satirizes the world of poets and playwrights in early 17th century Rome. The narrative features historical figures like Ovid and critiques the pretensions and rivalries among contemporary poets, particularly targeting playwright John Marston. Through characters like Envy and the Prologue's armed figure, Jonson explores themes of artistic ambition, envy, and the absurdity of literary aspirations, offering a humorous yet pointed examination of the artistic community's dynamics.
