John Marston English playwright Country: Great Britain

1. Early Life and Education
2. Literary Career: Satires and Plays
3. Comic Satires and Tragic Attempts
4. Controversy and the "War of the Theaters"
5. Decline and Retirement

Early Life and Education

John Marston, an English playwright, was born into a prosperous and erudite family in 1576. His father, a lawyer and landowner, had a substantial estate in Cropredy. Marston's mother was the daughter of a renowned Italian physician.

After graduating from Oxford University in 1594, Marston pursued legal studies at the Middle Temple, where his father was a member.

Literary Career: Satires and Plays

Marston's literary career began with satirical works. In "Metamorphosis of Pygmalion's Image" (1598), he parodied Ovid's famous tale. His two collections of satires, "Certain Satires" and "The Scourge of Villainy," mercilessly mocked literary mannerism.

Following the Archbishop of Canterbury's ban on satirical poetry in 1599, Marston turned his talents to writing plays for emerging child actor troupes. He penned "Histrio-Mastix" (1599), followed by "Jack Drum's Entertainment" and "Antonio and Melinda" (both 1602), satirizing popular romantic tragedies.

Comic Satires and Tragic Attempts

Marston's comedic satires, with the exception of "Antonio's Revenge" (1602) and "Sophonisba" (1606), explore societal vices and human folly. "What You Will" (1607) presents the loss and rediscovery of social and personal identities. "The Malcontent" (1604) stands out as his masterpiece, offering a scathing critique of contemporary society.

Controversy and the "War of the Theaters"

Despite his success, Marston's career was marked by quarrels and scandals. His satires twice offended Bishop J. Hall, and an attack on Ben Jonson in "Histrio-Mastix" sparked the "War of the Theaters," a literary feud lasting until 1602-1603.

Decline and Retirement

In 1608, Marston was imprisoned briefly for unknown reasons. After selling his share in the Blackfriars theater, he began work on "The Insatiate Countess," which William Barksted later completed. In 1609, Marston left the theater altogether and moved to Oxford to become a clergyman.

He returned to London in 1631 after leaving the ministry, but never regained his former theatrical glory. John Marston died in London on June 25, 1634.