3 Review(s)

Bartholomew Fair is a lively and satirical comedy by Ben Jonson. Set during the famous annual fair held in the Bartholomew Fair district of London, the play offers a sharp critique of contemporary society through a sprawling, farcical narrative filled with a diverse array of characters. Jonson explores themes such as social class, morality, and the human tendency to indulge in vice and folly. The fair itself serves as a microcosm of London’s bustling, chaotic, and morally ambiguous world, where everything is for sale, from goods to indulgence.The play features a series of interconnected storylines revolving around the colorful and eccentric characters who visit or work at the fair. Among them is the wealthy but pompous character of Zeal-of-the-Land Busy, a self-righteous Puritan who attempts to shut down the fair due to its perceived immorality. His efforts to stop the fair are met with ridicule and failure. Meanwhile, other characters, such as the drunken lawyer, the dishonest stall owners, and the various rogues and tricksters, engage in schemes, deceptions, and moral misadventures that provide much of the comedy. At the same time, the play presents the antics of several lovers trying to navigate their relationships amidst the distractions of the fair.