Sons of Ben (Research)
Katie Gallamore
Professor Teresa Saxton
- followers of Ben Jonson’s English poetry and drama
- first half of the 17th century
- all male followers
- they followed his philosophies and style of poetry
- however, unlike Jonson, they were loyal to the king
- the term “Sons of Ben” most commonly referred to dramatists who were outspokenly influenced by Jonson’s dramas
- there are eleven known members of the group: Richard Brome, Thomas Nabbles, Henry Glapthorne, Thomas Killigrew, Sir William Davenant, William Cartwright, Shackerely Marmion, Jasper Mayne, Peter Hausted, Thomas Randolph, and William Cavendish
- the term “Tribe of Ben” applied to Cavalier poets who were influenced by Jonson’s poetry including: Robert Herrick, Sir John Suckling, Richard Lovelace, and Thomas Carew
- the group, led by Jonson, convened at various taverns in London, especially the Apollo Room in the Devil’s Head and the Mermaid Tavern
- The “Rules of Conviviality” were the rules Jonson laid down for the group to follow
- Ben Jonson was a Cavalier poet
- “Cavalier poets is a broad description of a school of English poets of the 17th century, who came from the classes that supported King Charles I during the English Civil War. Much of their poetry is light in style, and generally secular in subject. They were marked out by their lifestyle and religion from the Roundheads, who supported Parliament and were often Puritans (either Presbyterians or Independents).The best known of the Cavalier poets are Ben Jonson, Robert Herrick, Richard Lovelace, Thomas Carew, and Sir John Suckling.”
- Jonson was friends with many of the writers of his day, and many of his most well-known poems include tributes to friends such as Shakespeare, John Donne and Francis Bacon.
Sources:
“Ben Jonson.” Poets.org. Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2017. <https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/ben-jonson>.
“Ben Jonson (1572-1637).” Ben Jonson (1572-1637). N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2017. <http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/jonson/>.
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Cavalier Poet.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 July 1998. Web. 30 Jan. 2017. <https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cavalier-poets>.
Tinker. “17th Century Poetic Movements – Trailblazers, Poetic Movements.” Poetry Magnum Opus. N.p., 11 Feb. 2011. Web. 30 Jan. 2017. <http://www.poetrymagnumopus.com/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F2331-17th-century-poetic-movements%2F>.