Sejanus: His Fall

Name: Sejanus: His Fall
Author: Ben Jonson
ISBN: 9781787367340

Author: Ben Jonson
Language: English
Length: 284 pages
ISBN: 9781787367340
Published: 20 August 2023
Imprint: Sovereign

Political intrigue
Roman Empire
Ambition
Corruption
Power struggle
Conspiracy
Betrayal
Ancient Rome
Praetorian Guard
Tiberius

All titles

Description

"Sejanus: His Fall" by Ben Jonson portrays the downfall of Lucius Aelius Sejanus, a historical figure who rose to power as the commander of the Praetorian Guard in ancient Rome. The play explores themes of political ambition, corruption, and the dangers of seeking too much power. Sejanus conspires to overthrow Emperor Tiberius, but his ambitious plans unravel as his allies turn against him. The play serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked ambition and the corrupting influence of power. It reflects Jonson's criticism of political corruption and the manipulation of those in authority. Through vivid characters and intense drama, the play highlights the fragility of those who rise too high and the complexities of the political landscape in ancient Rome.

Author

Ben Jonson (1572–1637) was the great comic dramatist of Shakespeare's age — a poet of city intrigue, gullibility, and verbal fireworks. The Alchemist, Volpone, and Every Man in His Humour made London itself a stage of schemes and comeuppance. Scholar, satirist, and masque-maker to the court, Jonson wrote classical comedy with a street ear. His seven titles here open a door into Jacobean theatre at its sharpest and funniest.

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