A play performed in 1603
The e-edition of Ben Jonson's Roman tragedy, which derives from an early 20th Century school edition, has a sensible and informative introduction:
"... Shakespeare [...] was contented to take all his ancient history from North's translation of Plutarch and dramatise his subject without further inquiry. Jonson was a scholar and a classical antiquarian. He reprobated this slipshod amateurishness, and wrote his "Sejanus" like a scholar, reading Tacitus, Suetonius, and other authorities, to be certain of his facts, his setting, and his atmosphere, and somewhat pedantically noting his authorities in the margin when he came to print."
Yes, this play was 'somewhat pedantically' written to show Shakespeare how to do it- somewhat akin to Salieri showing Mozart a thing or two about opera. But if Jonson was more pedant than genius, he still has taken a portion of Roman history- the reign of Tiberius, which lends itself well to dramatization, from Drusus slapping Sejanus in Act One, Sejanus plotting revenge in Act Two, (and throughout ranting like a true Marlovian villain):
SCENE II.——An Apartment in the Palace.
Enter SEJANUS.
Sej. If this be not revenge, when I have done
And made it perfect, let Egyptian slaves,
Parthians, and bare-foot Hebrews brand my face,
And print my body full of injuries.
Thou lost thyself, child Drusus, when thou thoughtst
Thou couldst outskip my vengeance; or outstand
The power I had to crush thee into air.
Jonson's best device are the senators, Arruntius, Sabinus, and some others, who are always undercutting the patently insincere remarks of Tiberius and his flatterers:
Tib. The burden is too heavy I sustain
On my unwilling shoulders; and I pray
It may be taken off, and reconferred
Upon the consuls, or some other Roman,
More able, and more worthy.
Arr. Laugh on still. [Aside.
Sab. Why this doth render all the rest suspected!
Gal. It poisons all.
Arr. __ __ __ O, do you taste it then?
Sab. It takes away my faith to any thing,
He shall hereafter speak.
Some things never change. As good a political, historical, dramatic piece as a non-genius could make.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer—no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
Christopher (o.d.c.)
Sic semper tyrannis
Reviewed in the United States on 19 April 2015Verified Purchase
A.N. Ainsworth
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 December 2014Verified Purchase
