Ben Jonson and the Paragone

Early modern English drama and visual culture

“…78 There is scope for taking these allusions to opposing modes of playgoing as reflective of a Jonsonian paragone debate. 79 Jonson's disparaging reference to those who are satisfied by that which pleases the 'eyes' in The Staple of News can convincingly be linked to the playwright's infamous quarrel with Inigo Jones, with whom Jonson had collaborated on the Stuart court masques since 1605, and whom he seems to mock in parts of this play. 80 to the fluid sensory experience evoked in the prologue to Henry V?…”