Every Man out of His Humour: Analysis of Major Characters
"Every Man out of His Humour" is a comedic play that features a variety of characters, each embodying distinct traits and social commentaries. Central to the narrative is Macilente, a malcontent who is consumed by envy and bitterness towards those he perceives as foolishly content. His character arc concludes with a transformation after he witnesses the downfalls of his peers. Carlo Buffone, the jester, is known for his crude humor, which ultimately leads to a comical punishment when he has his mouth sealed with wax due to his incessant insults. Deliro, a wealthy yet overly affectionate husband, faces a crisis spurred by his suspicions of his wife's fidelity, revealing the vulnerabilities in his character. His wife, Fallace, is infatuated with Fastidious Brisk, a self-absorbed courtier whose obsession with fashion drives him to financial ruin. The play also introduces Sordido, a miserly farmer whose hoarding behavior results in despair when he fails to secure a good harvest. Through these characters, the play critiques social aspirations, the absurdity of envy, and the folly of excessive attachment to status and wealth, offering insightful reflections on human behavior and societal norms.
Every Man out of His Humour: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Ben Jonson
First published: 1600
Genre: Play
Locale: Probably London
Plot: Comedy
Time: Early seventeenth century
Macilente, a malcontent. Morbidly envious of his fellows, he rages at the flourishing folly of the times and plays malicious tricks on his associates. When they have all been discomfited, he is cured of his envy.
Carlo Buffone, a foulmouthed jester. His indiscriminate verbal assaults lead to his having his mouth sealed by hot sealing waxinhisbeard.
Deliro, a wealthy, doting husband. He is finally driven out of his uxoriousness by suspicion that his wife is unfaithful.
Fallace, Deliro's wife and Sordido's daughter. Enamored of Fastidious Brisk, she behaves so foolishly that she loses her husband's love.
Sordido, a miserly farmer. He consults the almanac, hoards grain, and hopes for bad weather. A good harvest by his neighbors causes him to attempt suicide.
Sogliardo, Sordido's social-climbing brother. He pays Carlo to teach him to be a gentleman, but the lessons are unsuccessful.
Fungoso, Sordido's foolish son. He tries in vain to keep up with Fastidious Brisk's fashionableness.
Fastidious Brisk, an affected courtier. He changes the style of his clothes so rapidly that an imitator is always at least an hour out of fashion. He ends up in a debtors' prison.
Puntarvolo, an old-fashioned knight. He acts romantic scenes with his wife and wagers a sum at five to one odds that he, his wife, and his dog will return safely from a Continental tour. He loses when Macilente poisons his dog. He angrily seals Carlo's lips to silence his taunts.
Shift, a cheap rascal who pretends to be a criminal. He is too cowardly for real crime.
Saviolina, an affected court lady, Fastidious' mistress.