Comedy

ii In this thesis, I am concerned with Jonson's attitude toward theatricality in the world. His representation of a "centered self, " especially in his poems, can be seen both as a part of the Renaissance concern with fashioning identity and as a protest against the theatrical role-playing it often caused. I am further interested in Jonson's conception of the nature of the theatre as a significant social activity. He employs the theatrical metaphor in Volpone, Epicoene, and The Alchemist in which clever author and actor-figures deceive less clever audience-figures who lack proper judgement. These characters reflect Jonson's awareness of his own engagement with his audience. The series of plays-within-the-pla