Bartholomew Fair is a play written by Ben Jonson that was first performed in 1614. The play is a comedy that takes place during the annual Bartholomew Fair in London. The fair was a popular event during the time and was known for its debauchery and excess.
The play is a satirical commentary on the society of the time, and Jonson uses the fair as a metaphor for the corrupt and immoral nature of the city of London. The characters in the play are all representative of different aspects of society, from the upper-class Justice Overdo to the lower-class conman Quarlous. The play explores themes of greed, lust, and deception and provides a scathing critique of the society of the time.
Overall, Bartholomew Fair is a fascinating work of literature that provides insight into the society of the early 17th century. The play’s use of allegory and satire makes it a timeless work that is still relevant today.
Historical Context of Bartholomew Fair
Bartholomew Fair was one of the most important fairs in London during the 16th and 17th centuries. It was held annually on August 24th, the day of the feast of St. Bartholomew, and lasted for two weeks. The fair was granted a charter by King Henry I in 1133 to fund the Priory of St Bartholomew. It was held within the precincts of the priory at West Smithfield, London, until 1855, when it was banned due to causing public disturbances.
The fair was a major event in London’s social calendar and attracted people from all walks of life. It was a place for trading, entertainment, and socializing. The fair had a reputation for being rowdy and disorderly, with bawdy shows, games, and gambling being common. The fair was also known for its puppets shows, which were reckoned to be some of the best in London.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, London was a rapidly growing city, and Bartholomew Fair was a reflection of the changing times. The fair was a microcosm of London’s society, with people from all over the city coming together to trade, socialize, and enjoy themselves. The fair was also a place where people could express themselves freely, and it was often a venue for political satire and commentary.
Overall, Bartholomew Fair was an important part of London’s history, and it played a significant role in shaping the city’s culture and society. Despite being banned in 1855, its legacy lives on, and it continues to be remembered as one of London’s most iconic events.
Overview of Allegory in Literature
Allegory is a literary device that uses symbolic representation to convey a hidden meaning. It is a form of extended metaphor in which characters, events, and objects represent abstract ideas or moral qualities. Allegory is commonly used in literature to convey complex ideas and themes in a simple and easy-to-understand way.
In allegorical literature, the characters and events are not meant to be taken literally, but rather as representations of something else. For example, in George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the animals represent different groups in society, and their actions and interactions symbolize political events and ideologies.
Allegory can be found in many different types of literature, including fables, parables, and fairy tales. It is often used to teach moral lessons, but can also be used to criticize social or political issues.
Some famous examples of allegorical literature include Dante’s Divine Comedy, John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, and Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick. In each of these works, the characters and events are used to symbolize deeper meanings and themes.
Overall, allegory is a powerful literary device that can add depth and meaning to a work of literature. It allows writers to convey complex ideas and themes in a simple and easy-to-understand way, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.
Main Themes in Bartholomew Fair
Bartholomew Fair is a play that explores various themes that are still relevant to modern society. The following are some of the main themes that are explored in the play:
Disguise
Disguise is a common theme in early modern English comedies, and it plays a major role in the numerous plots of Bartholomew Fair. The most memorable disguise plot is that of Justice Overdo, who decides to disguise himself as a fool at the fair in order to witness and then root out sin and criminality. Disguise is also used by other characters in the play to achieve their goals, such as Littlewit and Winwife, who dress up as a puppet and a bear, respectively, to participate in a play.
Social Reality
Bartholomew Fair is set during the fair which gives it its name, taking place on St. Bartholomew’s Day. On this day in Smithfield, a large number of idiosyncratic characters cross paths. The play explores the social reality of London in the Jacobean era, including the changing political times and the diverse range of people who lived in the city. It highlights the differences between the upper and lower classes, as well as the tensions that existed between them.
Marriage and Courtship
The play involves intricate plots regarding courtship and marriage. The characters in the play are all in pursuit of love and happiness, but their desires are often thwarted by the social norms and expectations of their time. The play explores the themes of love, lust, and marriage, and how they were viewed in early modern England. It also highlights the differences between arranged marriages and those based on love.
Overall, Bartholomew Fair is a play that explores a variety of themes that are still relevant today. It is a witty and entertaining play that provides insight into the social reality of early modern England.
Character Symbolism
John Littlewit
John Littlewit, a legal clerk, symbolizes the intellectual class of society. He is intelligent and has a worthy profession, but he also writes plays in his spare time. His relationship with his wife, Win Littlewit, is deep and caring. He treats her to whatever she wants, showing that he is a loving and devoted husband.
Winwife
Winwife, a gallant, symbolizes the upper class of society. He is a wealthy man who is always dressed in the latest fashion. He is also very charming and smooth-talking. He is in love with Mistress Grace Wellborn, but he is not really interested in her as a person. He just wants to marry her for her money and social status.
Quarlous
Quarlous, a gentleman, symbolizes the lower class of society. He is a cunning and deceitful man who is always looking for ways to make money. He steals Trouble-All’s clothing and sells it to a pawnbroker. He also tricks Winwife into thinking that he is a wealthy man.
Zeal-of-the-land Busy
Zeal-of-the-land Busy, a Puritan, symbolizes the religious class of society. He is a fanatic who is always preaching about the sins of the world. He believes that the fair is a den of iniquity and tries to shut it down. He is also very judgmental and self-righteous, believing that he is the only one who is truly righteous.
Overall, the characters in Bartholomew Fair represent different classes and aspects of society. Each character has their own motivations and desires, which are often at odds with each other. Through these characters, Jonson explores the complexities and contradictions of Jacobean society.
Setting as Allegory
Bartholomew Fair is set during the annual fair of the same name, which takes place on St. Bartholomew’s Day. The fair is a bustling and chaotic event, with a diverse cast of characters from all walks of life coming together to engage in various activities. In this way, the fair serves as a microcosm of society, with each character representing a different aspect of humanity.
The Fair as a Microcosm
The fair serves as a microcosm of society, with each character representing a different aspect of humanity. For example, Justice Overdo represents the law and order of society, while Quarlous represents the rebellious and subversive elements. Similarly, the various vendors and performers at the fair represent different trades and professions, highlighting the diversity of society.
The Puppet Show
One of the most notable aspects of the fair is the puppet show, which serves as an allegory for the larger themes of the play. The puppet show features a cast of characters who are controlled by unseen forces, much like the characters in the play who are controlled by their desires and the social norms of the time. The puppet show also highlights the idea of performance and illusion, as the characters in the play often wear disguises and put on false personas in order to achieve their goals.
Overall, the setting of Bartholomew Fair serves as an allegory for the larger themes of the play, highlighting the diversity and complexity of society and the ways in which individuals are controlled by their desires and social norms.
Moral and Social Commentary
Bartholomew Fair is a play that is rich in moral and social commentary. The play is an allegory that uses the fair as a microcosm of society to comment on the moral decay and corruption of London in the Jacobean era.
One of the main themes of the play is the corruption of justice. The character Justice Overdo, who is supposed to represent the law and order, is himself corrupt and abuses his power. This is exemplified when he disguises himself as a fool to expose the debauchery at the fair, but ends up becoming a victim of it himself. This highlights the irony of the situation and shows how easily people in positions of power can become corrupted.
Another theme of the play is the hypocrisy of the puritanical society. The character Zeal-of-the-land Busy represents the puritanical values of the time, but is shown to be a hypocrite when he is caught in a compromising situation. This highlights the fact that people often do not practice what they preach and that society’s values can be arbitrary and contradictory.
Overall, Bartholomew Fair is a commentary on the moral decay and corruption of society, and the play’s use of allegory and symbolism makes its message accessible and engaging.
Religious Allegory in the Play
Bartholomew Fair is a play that is rich in religious allegory, with several characters and events symbolizing religious themes. For instance, the character, Zeal-of-the-land Busy, represents religious fanaticism. He is portrayed as a hypocrite, who is more interested in enforcing his own brand of morality than truly following the teachings of his religion. This is evident when he is shown to be more concerned with the trivial details of the law, rather than the spirit of the law.
Similarly, the character, Adam Overdo, represents the Christian ideal of justice and righteousness. He is portrayed as a just and fair man, who is willing to put himself in harm’s way to uphold the law. His disguise as a fool is symbolic of the humility and self-sacrifice that are necessary for true justice to be served.
Moreover, the fair itself can be seen as a metaphor for the sinful world, with the various characters representing different vices and virtues. The fair is a place of temptation and corruption, where people are lured into sin and debauchery. However, it is also a place of redemption, where characters like Adam Overdo are able to confront their own weaknesses and emerge stronger and more virtuous.
In conclusion, the religious allegory in Bartholomew Fair is a testament to the enduring power of Christian symbolism in literature. Through its use of characters and events that symbolize religious themes, the play offers a powerful commentary on the nature of sin, justice, and redemption.
Satire and Irony
Bartholomew Fair is a satirical play that pokes fun at the social and political issues of the time. The play uses irony to highlight the hypocrisy of the Puritanical characters who preach against sin while engaging in sinful behavior themselves. This is exemplified by the character Zeal-of-the-Land Busy, who spends the entire fair preaching against the sinful behavior he sees all around him while happily participating in that behavior himself.
Another example of satire and irony in the play is the character Justice Overdo, who disguises himself as a fool to expose the debauchery at Bartholomew Fair. However, he ends up getting caught up in the chaos himself and becomes a victim of his own plan. This highlights the idea that those in positions of power are not immune to the vices of the common people.
Overall, the use of satire and irony in Bartholomew Fair serves to highlight the flaws and contradictions of the society of the time, and to provide commentary on the human condition in general.
Modern Interpretations of the Allegory
Bartholomew Fair has been interpreted in many ways since its publication in the 17th century. Modern interpretations of the allegory have focused on the play’s themes of greed, corruption, and the dangers of excess.
One interpretation is that the fair represents the corrupt and decadent society of London in the 1600s. The characters in the play are seen as representatives of different social classes, with the fair itself representing the excesses of the ruling class.
Another interpretation is that the fair is a critique of the Puritan movement, which sought to impose strict moral codes on society. The characters in the play are seen as rebels against this movement, and the fair represents a space where they can indulge in their vices without fear of punishment.
Overall, modern interpretations of Bartholomew Fair have emphasized the play’s relevance to contemporary issues, such as political corruption and the dangers of unchecked power. The allegory continues to resonate with audiences today, reminding us of the need to remain vigilant against abuses of power and the dangers of excess.
Bartholomew Fair in Contemporary Culture
Bartholomew Fair has left a lasting impression on contemporary culture, with many references to the fair appearing in literature, film, and television. The fair has been featured in works by famous writers such as Charles Dickens and Ben Jonson, and is often used as a symbol of the excesses and vices of society.
In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in Bartholomew Fair, with events and exhibitions celebrating the history and culture of the fair. The City of London has organized a number of events, including the Bartholomew Fair Midnight Run, which takes participants on a night-time cultural journey through urban spaces.
The fair’s legacy can also be seen in modern-day carnivals and festivals, which often feature elements of the traditional fair such as puppet shows, street performers, and food stalls. The spirit of Bartholomew Fair lives on in these events, which continue to bring people together for a celebration of community and culture.
Overall, Bartholomew Fair remains an important part of British cultural history, and its influence can still be felt in contemporary culture today.