Jonson never loses an opportunity of satirizing these despicable
bullies, who were not only ridiculous in their affectations, but who
proved by their 'fomenting bloody quarrels' to be no small danger
to the state.
bullies, who were not only ridiculous in their affectations, but who
proved by their 'fomenting bloody quarrels' to be no small danger
to the state.
Ben Jonson - The Devil's Association
the masters of dependencies
That by compounding differences 'tween others
Supply their own necessities,
and Massinger makes similar comment in _The Guardian_, _Wks. _, p. 343:
When two heirs quarrel,
The swordsmen of the city shortly after
Appear in plush, for their grave consultations
In taking up the difference; some, I know,
Make a set living on't.
Another function of the office is mentioned by Ford in _Fancies Chaste
and Noble_, _Wks. _ 2. 241. The master would upon occasion 'brave' a
quarrel with the novice for the sake of 'gilding his reputation', and
Massinger in _The Maid of Honor_, _Wks. _, p. 190, asserts that he would
even consent 'for a cloak with thrice-died velvet, and a cast suit' to
be 'kick'd down the stairs'. In _A King and No King_, B. & Fl. , _Wks. _
2. 310 f. , Bessus consults with two of these 'Gentlemen of the Sword'
in a ridiculous scene, in which the sword-men profess the greatest
scrupulousness in examining every word and phrase, affirming that they
cannot be 'too subtle in this business'.
Jonson never loses an opportunity of satirizing these despicable
bullies, who were not only ridiculous in their affectations, but who
proved by their 'fomenting bloody quarrels' to be no small danger
to the state. Bobadill, who is described as a Paul's Man, was in
addition a pretender to this craft. Matthew complains that Downright
has threatened him with the bastinado, whereupon Bobadill cries out
immediately that it is 'a most proper and sufficient dependence' and
adds: 'Come hither, you shall chartel him; I'll shew you a trick or
two, you shall kill him with at pleasure'. [72] Cavalier Shift, in
_Every Man out of his Humor_, among various other occupations has the
reputation of being able to 'manage a quarrel the best that ever you
saw, for terms and circumstances'. We have an excellent picture of
the ambitious novice in the person of Kastrill in _The Alchemist_.
Kastrill, who is described as an 'angry boy', comes to consult Subtle
as to how to 'carry a business, manage a quarrel fairly'. Face assures
him that Dr. Subtle is able to 'take the height' of any quarrel
whatsoever, to tell 'in what degree of safety it lies', 'how it may be
borne', etc.
From this description of the 'master of dependencies' the exquisite
humor of the passage in _The Devil is an Ass_ (3. 3. 60 f. ) can be
appreciated. Merecraft assures Fitzdottrel that this occupation, in
reality the refuge only of the Shifts and Bobadills of the city, is a
new and important office about to be formally established by the state.
In spite of all their speaking against dueling, he says, they have
come to see the evident necessity of a public tribunal to which all
quarrels may be referred. It is by means of this pretended office that
Merecraft attempts to swindle Fitzdottrel out of his entire estate,
from which disaster he is saved only by the clever interposition of
Wittipol.
[67] Cf.
That by compounding differences 'tween others
Supply their own necessities,
and Massinger makes similar comment in _The Guardian_, _Wks. _, p. 343:
When two heirs quarrel,
The swordsmen of the city shortly after
Appear in plush, for their grave consultations
In taking up the difference; some, I know,
Make a set living on't.
Another function of the office is mentioned by Ford in _Fancies Chaste
and Noble_, _Wks. _ 2. 241. The master would upon occasion 'brave' a
quarrel with the novice for the sake of 'gilding his reputation', and
Massinger in _The Maid of Honor_, _Wks. _, p. 190, asserts that he would
even consent 'for a cloak with thrice-died velvet, and a cast suit' to
be 'kick'd down the stairs'. In _A King and No King_, B. & Fl. , _Wks. _
2. 310 f. , Bessus consults with two of these 'Gentlemen of the Sword'
in a ridiculous scene, in which the sword-men profess the greatest
scrupulousness in examining every word and phrase, affirming that they
cannot be 'too subtle in this business'.
Jonson never loses an opportunity of satirizing these despicable
bullies, who were not only ridiculous in their affectations, but who
proved by their 'fomenting bloody quarrels' to be no small danger
to the state. Bobadill, who is described as a Paul's Man, was in
addition a pretender to this craft. Matthew complains that Downright
has threatened him with the bastinado, whereupon Bobadill cries out
immediately that it is 'a most proper and sufficient dependence' and
adds: 'Come hither, you shall chartel him; I'll shew you a trick or
two, you shall kill him with at pleasure'. [72] Cavalier Shift, in
_Every Man out of his Humor_, among various other occupations has the
reputation of being able to 'manage a quarrel the best that ever you
saw, for terms and circumstances'. We have an excellent picture of
the ambitious novice in the person of Kastrill in _The Alchemist_.
Kastrill, who is described as an 'angry boy', comes to consult Subtle
as to how to 'carry a business, manage a quarrel fairly'. Face assures
him that Dr. Subtle is able to 'take the height' of any quarrel
whatsoever, to tell 'in what degree of safety it lies', 'how it may be
borne', etc.
From this description of the 'master of dependencies' the exquisite
humor of the passage in _The Devil is an Ass_ (3. 3. 60 f. ) can be
appreciated. Merecraft assures Fitzdottrel that this occupation, in
reality the refuge only of the Shifts and Bobadills of the city, is a
new and important office about to be formally established by the state.
In spite of all their speaking against dueling, he says, they have
come to see the evident necessity of a public tribunal to which all
quarrels may be referred. It is by means of this pretended office that
Merecraft attempts to swindle Fitzdottrel out of his entire estate,
from which disaster he is saved only by the clever interposition of
Wittipol.
[67] Cf.
