Epicoene; Or, The Silent Woman

Epicoene; Or, The Silent Woman

A comedic exploration of deception in relationships and societal norms in 17th-century English Renaissance comedyBy Ben Jonson
Michael Caine
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length3h 35m

About this audiobook

Ben Jonson's "Epicoene; Or, The Silent Woman" is a masterful comedic work that deftly navigates themes of gender, identity, and social masquerade. Set against the backdrop of early 17th-century London, the play employs sharp wit and rich linguistic creativity to explore the tensions between appearance and reality within societal norms. Jonson'Äôs use of satire illustrates the complexities of human relationships and the roles men and women play, encapsulated in the character of Epicoene, a woman whose silence becomes both her strength and a source of intrigue, challenging the expectations of femininity in the Jacobean era. Ben Jonson, a prominent figure in the English Renaissance, was known for his contributions to both the theater and poetry, often surpassing his contemporaries in his stylistic innovation and moral inquiry. His experiences within the fluctuating dynamics of Jacobean society and his keen observations of human follies greatly informed his writing. Jonson'Äôs background in classical education and his relationships with other playwrights, including Shakespeare, uniquely positioned him to craft a play that critiques the gender conventions of his time while also inviting audiences to reflect on their own identities. "Epicoene; Or, The Silent Woman" is a must-read for those interested in early modern drama and gender studies. Its clever dialogue and layered characterizations offer rich material for scholarly analysis and personal reflection. Students of literature, theater enthusiasts, and general readers alike will find themselves captivated by Jonson'Äôs insightful portrayal of the complexities of social interaction and gender expression, making this play a timeless classic that resonates even in contemporary discussions.

Audiobook details

Rating★★★★ 3.7 (857)
Includes Goodreads, LibraryThing, Amazon
GenreLiterary Classics
Length3 hrs 35 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 21, 2019
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1EPICOENE; OR, THE SILENT WOMAN
5ACT 2.
2PROLOGUE
6ACT 3.
3ANOTHER.
7ACT 4.
4ACT 1.

More from Ben Jonson

To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a MockingbirdHarper Lee12h 18m4.5 (7.4M)$29 · $0.00
These Precious Days
These Precious DaysAnn Patchett11h 14m4.5 (45.2K)$29 · $0.00
This Side of Paradise - The Original 1920 Edition (Annotated)
This Side of Paradise - The Original 1920 Edition (Annotated)F. Scott Fitzgerald11h 30m4.6 (1.6K)$2 · $0.00
The Great Gatsby: Original 1925 Edition (An F. Scott Fitzgerald Classic Novel
The Great Gatsby: Original 1925 Edition (An F. Scott Fitzgerald Classic NovelFrancis Scott Fitzgerald4h 45m4.6 (9.3K)$18 · $0.00
The Complete Histories / History Plays of William Shakespeare (Annotated)
The Complete Histories / History Plays of William Shakespeare (Annotated)William Shakespeare29h 42m4.6 (2.3K)$1.99 · $0.00
Braving the Truth
Braving the TruthRachel Held Evans11h 31m4.7 (359)$29 · $0.00
The Old Man and the Sea (Annotated)
The Old Man and the Sea (Annotated)Ernest Hemingway4h 27m4.6 (1.4K)$2 · $0.00
Twelfth Night (The Unabridged Play) + The Classic Biography (Annotated)
Twelfth Night (The Unabridged Play) + The Classic Biography (Annotated)William Shakespeare, Sidney Lee16h 38m4.6 (1.4K)$2 · $0.00
Henry V (The Play, Historical Background and Analysis of the Character in the Play)
Henry V (The Play, Historical Background and Analysis of the Character in the Play)William Shakespeare, William Hazlitt8h 40m4.6 (1.3K)$1 · $0.00
H. P. LOVECRAFT Ultimate Collection: Novellas, Short Stories, Poetry & Essays (Annotated)
H. P. LOVECRAFT Ultimate Collection: Novellas, Short Stories, Poetry & Essays (Annotated)H. P. Lovecraft12h 28m4.6 (2.3K)$2 · $0.00
Time Regained
Time RegainedMarcel Proust15h 54m4.5 (10.6K)$2 · $0.00
TORAH - Bilingual Edition: English/Hebrew (Annotated)
TORAH - Bilingual Edition: English/Hebrew (Annotated)Max Margolis, JPS28h 26m4.6 (1K)$2 · $0.00
Betty Crocker picture cooky book
Betty Crocker picture cooky bookBetty Crocker, Inc. General Mills2h 13m4.5 (6.5K)$1 · $0.00
The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter
The Complete Tales of Beatrix PotterBeatrix Potter3h 36m4.5 (75K)$3 · $0.00
Crime and Punishment (The Unabridged Garnett Translation) (Annotated)
Crime and Punishment (The Unabridged Garnett Translation) (Annotated)Fyodor Dostoevsky24h 25m4.5 (15.4K)$1.99 · $0.00
The North American Indian
The North American IndianEdward S. Curtis, Frederick Webb Hodge6h4.5 (1.2K)$2 · $0.00
The Picture of Dorian Gray: The Uncensored 13 Chapter Version + The Revised 20 Chapter Version (Annotated)
The Picture of Dorian Gray: The Uncensored 13 Chapter Version + The Revised 20 Chapter Version (Annotated)Oscar Wilde16h 12m4.5 (2.8K)$1.99 · $0.00
Grimoire Of The Everyday Witch
Grimoire Of The Everyday WitchIsadora Lys / Virginia Santos5h 35m4.5 (3.9K)$9 · $0.00
Winnie-the-Pooh
Winnie-the-PoohAlan Alexander Milne2h 52m4.5 (401.1K)$3 · $0.00
Sitting Pretty
Sitting PrettyRebekah Taussig7h 33m4.5 (18.9K)$26 · $0.00

You may also like