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The History Of European TheatreA more or less chronological history of the development and practice of theatre Author: Philip Rowe
A podcast tracing the development of theatre from ancient Greece to the present day through the places and people who made theatre happen. More than just dates and lists of plays we'll learn about the social. political and historical context that fostered the creation of dramatic art.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Language: en Genres: Arts, History, Performing Arts Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Sejanus His Fall: ‘Ambition Makes More Trusty Slaves Than Need’
Episode 90
Sunday, 1 February, 2026
Episode 203: We now stay in the world of the Elizabethan interpretation of classical history and myth with Ben Jonson’s next play ‘Sejanus His Fall’. Rooted more firmly in history than myth Jonson’s play uses the story of a power struggle motivated by personal ambition to look at the nature of power, justice and politics. This was quite evidently dangerous ground for a playwright already known for his clashes with the authorities, but it was not just that commentary of contemporary politics that got Jonson into trouble with this play. A brief word on the unfinished tragedy ‘Mortimer His Fall’The ‘argument’ of the play and some thoughts on what the play might have beenThe early performance history of ‘Sejanus His Fall’The possible co-author of the playThe early reception of the playThe background to the poor reception of the playA synopsis of the playThe ban on satires and historiesThe translations of Tacitus and complications with EssexHow John Heyward’s problems with censorship influence the playThe play as a commentary on Elizabethan societyQuestions of the control of power in the playQuestions of the application of justice in the playThe motivations of SejanusThe aesthetic issues with the playHow Jonson mixed comedy and tragedy in the playThe influence of Marlowe on the verse in the playJonson censured for the playThe later performance history of the playSupport the podcast at:www.thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.comwww.patreon.com/thoetpwww.ko-fi.com/thoetp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
