Ben Jonson, Pleasure Reconciled to Virtue

Ema Vyroubalova (Trinity College Dublin)

Ed. by William M. Hamlin, Washington State University
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.03: English Writing and Culture: Renaissance (Elizabethan and Jacobean periods) , 1485-1625.
Vol. editors: William M. Hamlin (Washington State University), J A Roe (University of York), Virginia Mason Vaughan (Clark University), Ema Vyroubalova (Trinity College Dublin)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1618

Places

England (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Masque
Play

Resources

Ben Jonson's masque Pleasure Reconciled to Virtue was first staged before King James I in the Banqueting House of Whitehall Palace on 6 January 1618. The event marked the acting debut of Prince Charles (the future Charles I), who also served as the masque’s official sponsor. The performance famously failed to impress King James. Jonson composed the text and Inigo Jones designed the scenery and costumes.

The scenic design is dominated by an anthropomorphic Mount Atlas, made to resemble the head of a grey-haired man. The action opens with Comus, the god of festivities, entering surrounded by his supporters. This is followed by the first anti-masque, which features dancing bottles and a cask. Hercules, the demigod and hero o…

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1006 words

Citation: Vyroubalova, Ema. "Pleasure Reconciled to Virtue". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 21 May 2013 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=2762, accessed 21 November 2024.]

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