Overview

Epicoene or the silent woman is a satirical comedy that centers on a man obsessed with the pursuit of absolute quiet and order in a world filled with chatter and chaos. His peculiar preference for silence drives him to seek a wife who cannot speak, convinced this will ensure his peace and tranquility. The narrative unfolds through a sequence of comical misunderstandings and elaborate schemes, as those around him manipulate his quirks to expose his foolishness and challenge his rigid worldview. Through sharp wit and clever deception, the play critiques vanity, pretension, and the absurd lengths people go to maintain control over their surroundings. It highlights themes of gender disguise, social expectation, and the artifice of manners in an exuberant urban society. The humor stems not only from exaggerated personalities but also from the contrast between appearance and reality. As the plot progresses, the protagonist's attempts to command silence ironically lead to uproar and public embarrassment, underscoring the folly of isolation and the inevitability of human interaction.

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Benjamin Jonson was born on June 11, 1572, in Westminster, London, to William Jonson and an unnamed mother who later remarried after his father's death. Known for his precise craftsmanship and intellectual wit, Jonson became one of the most distinguished figures of English drama and poetry. His early education under the guidance of William Camden helped shape his classical foundation, which would later influence the structure and style of his plays. He began his career as an actor and playwright, developing a reputation for his sharp social insight and bold use of satire. His works often combined humor with moral reflection, exploring human ambition, vanity, and folly with striking realism. Jonson's mastery of language and ability to blend scholarly knowledge with theatrical liveliness earned him lasting recognition, influencing writers such as William Shakespeare and many who followed. His contributions to poetic form, especially in lyric and epigrammatic writing, marked a turning point in English literary tradition. He died on August 18, 1637, in Westminster, London, leaving behind a legacy of enduring artistic excellence.

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