Publisher's Synopsis
The Fountain of Self-Love: Or Cynthia's Revels is a play written by Ben Jonson and originally published in 1601. This edition of the play was published in 1908 and includes an introduction and notes by Felix E. Schelling.The play is a satire on the court of Queen Elizabeth I and the courtiers who were obsessed with self-love and flattery. The main character, Crites, is a courtier who is consumed by his own vanity and self-importance. He is constantly seeking the approval of others and is willing to do anything to maintain his position at court.The play takes place during a series of revels, or courtly entertainments, and features a cast of characters who are all vying for attention and favor from the queen. There are several subplots, including a love triangle between three courtiers and a plot to expose the hypocrisy of the court.Throughout the play, Jonson uses humor and satire to critique the court of Elizabeth I and the culture of self-love and flattery that was prevalent at the time. The play is also notable for its use of language and its intricate wordplay, which was a hallmark of Jonson's writing.Overall, The Fountain of Self-Love: Or Cynthia's Revels is a witty and entertaining play that offers a window into the world of the Elizabethan court and the social and cultural norms of the time.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
