Jonson, Ben

Jonson, Ben (1572–1637),
English dramatist known for his biting social satire. Jonson's masques often contained elements of the marvellous taken from classical mythology. In Lord Haddington's Masque, or The Hue and Cry after Cupid (1608), Venus descends from her star to look for her son Cupid, who has united the couple for whom Jonson wrote the masque. Oberon, the Faery Prince (1611) was written for Prince Henry upon his investiture as Prince of Wales and concerns Prince Oberon, who emerges from his palace the night of a full moon with his fairies and elves only to disappear at daybreak.

Anne Duggan