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I stumbled on this while looking for something else. can it be an attack on Shakespeare?
On Poet-Ape by Ben Jonson
Poor Poet-Ape, that would be thought our chief,
Whose works are e'en the frippery of wit,
From brokage is become so bold a thief,
As we, the robbed, leave rage, and pity it.
At first he made low shifts, would pick and glean,
Buy the reversion of old plays; now grown
To a little wealth, and credit in the scene,
He takes up all, makes each man's wit his own.
And, told of this, he slights it. Tut, such crimes
The sluggish gaping auditor devours;
He marks not whose 'twas first, and after-times
May judge it to be his, as well as ours.
Fool, as if half eyes will not know a fleece
From locks of wool, or shreds from the whole piece.
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It's debated, from what I can gather. Here's a url that I hope it ok to post: http://www.bookrags.com/books/vlttr/PART13.htmIf you read far down in the text, you'll find some explanations of why Jonson both admired and criticized Shakespeare. The ape could have been Shakespeare during one of Jonson's critical or jealous periods. There's a statement about the accusation of plagiarism. Good night, sweet prince, DubDunno
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FWIW, I doubt that Dr Johnson is having a go at Shakespeare. From what I have read, Johnson was quite transfixed by the bard, ever since he first read "Hamlet" at the age of nine. He studied the plays in enormous detail, using quotations from them to illustrate about one third of his dictionary definitions. His objectivity is obvious - he was quoted in 1769 as saying,"Shakespeare never has six lines together without a fault" - but the sentiments expressed in the "poet-ape" piece do not correlate with the overall respect he seemed to have for WS.
He was particularly taken with "Macbeth" and reputedly quoted lines from the Scottish Play on his deathbed.
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Max is correct, Zoot. Jonson is Shakespeare's admirer and sometimes critic; Johnson is the lexicographer and great heavily flying mammoth social butterfly who would not talk till he'd finished the last bite of whatever huge meal he'd been invited to. Johnson be my hero! Fer lotsa reasons!
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Tangent alert!
I was reading about Colette tonight, and learned that her mother's first husband was known as "The Ape"--and Colette's maternal grandfather was known as "The Gorilla."
Now how's that for some useless trivia?
Beast regards,
WordintheWilds
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Oh yea verily! Mistaken identity? Nope - "jumping the gun" it is called! I saw Jonson + Shakespeare, happily ignored the "Ben" and lack of an "h" and went for it!!! no ape - a chimp who's a chump! 
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Other than Shakespeare, what other contemporary of Jonson was big enough to provoke such a tirade?
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Dear Bill,
I think it was Shakespeare. But who else could it have been? Maybe a search into notable plagiarists of the period would produce some results.
Best regards,
WouldWrite But, gosh, the board is dead this weekend, huh?
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Howya Bill
Me Grate-grate-and-grand Uncle the third, Mr Ted Shakesbeare might have had somethin ta do with that tirade. Or was it lemonade? I always get a bit confused about that one!
All the best
GallantTed
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