This edition analyzes four of Jonson's works, including Volpone, The Alchemist, Every Man in His Humour, and Bartholomew Fair.

The extraordinary character of Ben Jonson has only recently been brought into the light.

This volume offers the broadest range of information on Jonson and his works, from background on contexts to details of recent interpretations of his plays.

On-page commentary notes gloss the text in greater detail, making this the ideal edition for study and classroom use.

David Riggs's eminently readable and generously illustrated study not only fully justifies our curiosity, but handles with admirable tact what might be lurid and sensational if our only interest were the gossip.'New York Times Book Review