Discoveries Made Upon Men and Matter and Some Poems

"Discoveries Made Upon Men and Matter and Some Poems" by Ben Jonson is a collection of essays, thoughts, and poetry written during the early 17th century. The work showcases Jonson's keen observations on various aspects of human nature, society, and morality, reflecting the complexities of life in his time. It encompasses a variety of themes that reveal Jonson's intellect and his emphasis on the importance of character, virtue, and the power of knowledge. At the start of the book, readers are introduced to Jonson’s perspective through the introduction, which highlights his literary legacy and the influences upon him. He reflects on human behavior, offering insights into the motivations behind people's actions, the significance of wisdom and honesty, and the common vices present in society. The opening also suggests that Jonson’s observations stem from a mixture of daily readings and personal experiences, setting the stage for the deep, philosophical discussions that follow. Each thought, or “Timber,” as he calls them, provides a glimpse into the mind of one of English literature's most important figures, beautifully intertwining poetic expressions with intellectual discourse. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Benjamin Jonson was an English playwright and poet. Jonson's artistry exerted a lasting influence on English poetry and stage comedy. He popularised the comedy of humours; he is best known for the satirical plays Every Man in His Humour (1598), Volpone, or The Fox, The Alchemist (1610) and Bartholomew Fair (1614) and for his lyric and epigrammatic poetry. He is regarded as "the second most important English dramatist, after William Shakespeare, during the reign of James I."