Abstract

The characteristic inconsistency of Ben Jonson's literary criticism derives, in part, from his idea of the critic, which centers upon charity, discretion, and a commitment to what he calls "consociation," a principle of cross-cultural discourse. Jonson himself exercises charity by hosting across his works a symposium of diverse critical voices. He exercises discretion, however, and defines his idea of the critic, by distinguishing among that crowd between "nasuti" and "polyposi," critics good and bad. Yet discretion does not entirely shut down the diversity or the inconsistency that charity engenders. Both are sustained in the service of consociation, as Jonson broadly establishes the cultural relevance of literary criticism by bringing its knowledge to bear upon other spheres and vice versa, though not always in a controlled fashion.

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