THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROLOGUE IN BENJONSON'S EVERY AMN IN HIS HUMOUR

Abstract

The prologue function as a kind of mission statement. The prologue is spoken anonymously there is no character assigned but it can be taken as an expression of Ben Johnson’s own thought. The prologue sets out his approach, promising to employ deeds and language. The best of English screenwriters aside from Shakespeare, the primary abstract despot and artist laureate, an essayist of refrain, exposition, parody, and analysis who most powerfully of the multitude of men of his time influenced the ensuing course of English letters: such was Ben Jonson, and as such his solid character expects an interest to us practically unrivaled, at any rate in his age.