Study Guide by Arpita Karwa

Every Man in His Humour by Ben Jonson

spy on Edward.

Knowell comes into the scene and speaks about how

parents have a strong negative influence on their
children. He throws light on his early days when he was
young. He is happy as he believes he has not been a
negative influence on Edward. However, he thinks his
son has chosen the wrong path.

m
Mathew and Bobadill find Wellbred and all three men
are in a tavern. Bobadill and Mathew are talking ill
about Downright. Edward and Stephen arrive and find

co
Every Man in His Humour is a comedy play written by out that it was Wellbred who had written the letter to
English playwright Ben Jonson. “Humour” is called an Edward. Meanwhile, Cash meets Cob, who looks
overpowering obsession and is classified as 4 types of body distressed. Cash tells him that his “humour” is the
fluids - black bile, yellow bile, phlegm and blood. These reason for his distressed state.
fluids influence the nature and health of a person.
a.
Knowell is an old retired scholar who is happy that his son
Edward is a scholar too. Master Stephen, a naive
The next scene begins at Justice Clement’s residence.
Cob wants revenge from Bobadill who used his wife in
the past. He asks the Justice to punish Bobadill. Justice,
w
gentleman and Edward’s cousin, arrives at their residence. on the other hand, orders Cob to be sent to prison for
Knowell advises him on how to be a better man, after his character and other indecent actions in the past.
which Stephen leaves.
Clement, Knowell, Kitely, Cash and Cob gather at
r

Knowell is handed over a letter meant for Edward. He Clement’s house. They are joined by Mathew and
Bobadill who bring along a warrant for Downright.
ka

reads it and feels disrespectful for the indecent language

used in it. Nonetheless, he has the letter given to Edward.
He also decides to encourage but not force Edward to
become a better human.
ta
Brainworm, Stephen and Downright arrive. Brainworm,
who is still disguised as a soldier arrives and reveals his
true identity. Justice Clement asks everyone to rise above
the emotions that are pulling them down. After his
speech, everyone starts to celebrate!

Edward gets the letter and learns that his father has read it.
Stephen and Edward go out in search of the man who
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delivered the letter. Mathew and Cob arrive at Knowell’s

house. Mathew talks about finding a man named Captain
Bobadill, who Cob says is his guest. Mathew doesn’t
pi

believe it.

Cob tells Mathew that Bobadill owes him money and that
he slept on his bench the previous night. Mathew meets
ar

Bobadill at Cob’s home. He shares a play he likes and then

both men start discussing about Mathew’s work.

Act II begins with a merchant named Kitley, his

brother-in-law Downright and a cashier named Cash.
Kitley has a brother named Wellbred — who Mathew and
Bobadill are looking for. Knowell’s servant Brainworm is
disguised as an ex-soldier and is roaming around London’s
moorfields. He is following Knowell, who is intending to

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 Study Guide by Arpita Karwa

Mind Map

Old
Lovewit
Knowell
Owner
Old gentleman
of the house

Son

Stephen Cousin Edward Knowell Servant Brainworm

Selfish man Loyal to Edward
Young man
Disguises as soldier

Friends

Brother Brother
Dame Kitely Wellbred Downright

Husband

Searching for
Kitely
Merchant

Friends Matthew Friends Cob Bobadil

Writes inferior poetry Town's water bearer Soldier
Lives at
Cash Cob’s kouse

Kitely's man

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