Skip to main content
Chaptra
Cover of Epicoene; Or, The Silent Woman

Epicoene; Or, The Silent Woman

Written by Ben Jonson

Not rated yet — tap a star to review it
English dramaComedy playsMarried womenUnclesEnglish drama (Comedy)Inheritance and successionNephews

Chaptra reads alongside you — AI insights, chapter breakdowns and reader discussions for every book. Join free

About this book

"Epicoene; Or, The Silent Woman" by Ben Jonson is a comedic play written during the early 17th century. The overarching theme revolves around Morose, a gentleman who strives to surround himself with silence and simplicity, leading him to seek a wife who is mute, believing that this would provide him peace. The play deftly explores societal norms and character interactions, primarily focusing on Morose and those surrounding him, including his rambunctious nephew and the humorous challenges they face. At the start of the play, we meet Morose, who is deeply concerned with maintaining silence in his life and engages a barber named Cutbeard to help him find a quiet bride. He is depicted as quite paranoid about noise, stressing the lengths he goes to avoid it, including employing a mute servant. Meanwhile, his nephew, Sir Dauphine, and his friends discuss Morose's unusual desire for a silent wife, setting up a comedic scenario filled with misunderstandings and witty exchanges. The opening establishes the characters and their intentions, foreshadowing the humorous yet chaotic unfolding of events that challenge Morose's peculiar aspirations.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Epicoene; Or, The Silent Woman, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • advanced
  • humorous
  • witty
  • satirical

Ben Jonson's "Epicoene; Or, The Silent Woman" is a brilliant Jacobean comedy of humours, centering on the misanthropic Morose, who despises all noise and seeks a perfectly silent wife to secure his inheritance and spite his nephew, Sir Dauphine. The play unravels as Dauphine, aided by his witty friends Truewit and Clerimont, orchestrates an elaborate deception, marrying Morose to the seemingly demure Epicoene, who quickly transforms into a boisterous, talkative terror. The escalating chaos culminates in a farcical divorce trial and a shocking revelation about Epicoene's true identity, exposing the folly of obsession and the artifice of societal roles. Through intricate plotting and sharp dialogue, Jonson satirizes human eccentricity, social pretense, and the superficiality of appearances.

“Silence in woman is a virtue.”

Key themes

Appearance vs. Reality / Deception
This is the central theme, explored through Epicoene's initial silence and subsequent boisterousness, culminating in the revelation that 'she' is a boy. The play constantly challenges perceptions, showing how easily people can be fooled by outward presentation and how much human interaction relies on constructed identities. Morose's entire downfall stems from his inability to see beyond Epicoene's initial 'silent' appearance.
Obsession and Folly
The play is a classic 'comedy of humours,' with Morose embodying the folly of extreme obsession. His pathological hatred of noise and his rigid desire for absolute silence drive all his actions, leading him to make irrational decisions and ultimately to his own torment. Jonson uses Morose to satirize how a single, unchecked 'humour' can distort one's perception and lead to self-destruction.
Gender Roles and Societal Expectations
The play critiques the societal expectations placed upon women, particularly the ideal of the 'silent woman' and the realities of female agency. Morose's desire for a mute wife highlights a patriarchal ideal of female subservience. The 'collegiate ladies' represent another extreme: women who are overly loud, intellectual, and opinionated, satirizing the emerging female social groups of the time. The revelation of Epicoene as a boy further complicates these roles, questioning the very definitions of 'man' and 'woman' and their expected behaviors.

Worth discussing

How does Jonson use the 'humours' concept to develop Morose's character, and what does this reveal about the nature of obsession?

Chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, character arcs and the full thematic analysis come with a free account.

Sign up freeLog in

Discussions

No one has started one yet

Join

Questions this book opens up

No discussions yet

Be the first to start a discussion about this book!

Sign up to start the discussion

Reviews

No reviews yet

Be the first to review this book!