The Devil is an Ass

The Devil is an Ass by Ben Jonson is a razor-sharp Jacobean comedy that combines wicked humor, biting social satire, and a keen eye for human folly. The play begins in Hell, where the minor devil Pug begs Satan to allow him to go to London and tempt mortals. Eager to prove his worth, Pug believes that corrupting human souls will be an easy task. Yet when he arrives in the bustling city, he finds that people are already far more deceitful, greedy, and self-serving than any devil could hope to make them. His adventures lead him into the service of Fitzdottrel, a foolish and boastful gentleman obsessed with his reputation and desperate to appear clever and successful. Fitzdottrel's vanity and gullibility make him easy prey for a host of con artists, courtiers, and schemers who manipulate him at every turn—while Pug, the would-be tempter, finds himself helpless amid the already corrupted human world. Through its fast-paced intrigue, witty dialogue, and absurd misfortunes, Jonson's play exposes the moral decay of early seventeenth-century London. It is a vivid portrait of an age driven by greed, social ambition, and hypocrisy. Beneath the comedy, however, lies Jonson's deeper reflection on humanity's self-destructive impulses and the futility of trying to outwit one's own nature.

The Devil is an Ass remains one of Jonson's most enduring works, a masterpiece of satire whose insight into human weakness continues to resonate. Its influence can be seen in later social comedies and moral dramas that owe much to Jonson's brilliant blend of humor and critique.

This edited and annotated edition enriches the reading experience with a detailed history of the period, linguistic and textual analysis, and a thoughtful exploration of the play's cultural impact and lasting legacy.