When was Sejanus His Fall first performed?
Sejanus His Fall was first performed by the King's Men in 1603, most likely at court during the winter of that year. It reached the Globe Theatre in 1604, where it was famously hissed off the stage.
Questions about Sejanus His Fall
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why was Ben Jonson accused of treason because of Sejanus His Fall?
Jonson was called before the Privy Council on a charge of "Popery and treason" brought by the Earl of Northampton. The exact cause is unknown, but theories include the play paralleling the fall of the Earl of Essex, reflecting the 1603 trial of Walter Raleigh, or criticising rule by royal favourites during a period when James I was sensitive to such themes. No action was ultimately taken against Jonson.
Who was the unnamed co-author of Sejanus His Fall?
Jonson himself confirmed in his 1605 epistle that a second writer had "good share" in the staged version of the play, but never named him. The leading candidates are William Shakespeare, who acted in the play, and George Chapman, who wrote a commendatory poem for the published text.
What actors appeared in the original production of Sejanus His Fall?
The 1616 folio cast list names Richard Burbage, Augustine Phillips, William Sly, John Lowin, William Shakespeare, John Heminges, Henry Condell, and Alexander Cooke. It is not known which roles each actor played, though scholars believe Burbage played the title role of Sejanus.
When was Sejanus His Fall first published and by whom?
Thomas Thorpe published Sejanus His Fall in quarto in 1605 (STC 14782), printed by George Eld, after acquiring the copyright from Edward Blount on the 6th of August 1605. A folio edition followed in 1616.
Who identified the poet 'Cygnus' in the 1605 quarto of Sejanus His Fall?
In 2023, scholar Chris Laoutaris identified the poet who signed commendatory verses as 'Cygnus' in the 1605 quarto as William Shakespeare.