Cynthia's Revels; Or, The Fountain of Self-Love

"Cynthia's Revels; Or, The Fountain of Self-Love" by Ben Jonson is a funny play from the early 1600s that takes place in a make-believe court, where the story looks at being conceited and trying to be good through different people who each have their own special traits. Characters like Cynthia, Echo, and Cupid are a big deal, all taking part in a fun atmosphere filled with making fun of things and talking about how people act. The beginning of the play introduces the characters and setting in a fun way, starting with a conversation between Cupid and Mercury. The scene is set in the beautiful grove of Gargaphie, where Cupid chooses to leave his god duties behind to become a page in Cynthia’s court to chase after nymphs. The talk goes back and forth between funny jokes and introductions, showing off Jonson's humor. Different characters like Amorphus, Crites, and Asotus are also brought in, each with their own funny parts, getting ready for problems and conversations that will explore how silly it is to be conceited and what it really means to be good as the celebrations go on.