Identifying the Author of 'Plays Confuted in Five Actions'

The question asks to identify the author of a specific quote from the pamphlet titled 'Plays Confuted in Five Actions', published in 1582. The quote expresses concern about London playhouses heavily borrowing material from bawdy comedies in Latin, French, Italian, and Spanish.

'Plays Confuted in Five Actions' is a well-known work of literary criticism from the Elizabethan era, specifically a polemic against the theatre. It was written by a prominent critic of the stage during that time.

Let's examine the options provided:

• Ben Jonson: A major playwright of the Jacobean era, known for works like 'Volpone' and 'The Alchemist'. While he was involved with theatre, he was a creator, not a critic publishing polemics against plays in 1582.
• George Gascoigne: An earlier Elizabethan poet, playwright, and critic. He died in 1577, before the publication of 'Plays Confuted in Five Actions' (1582).
• Stephen Gosson: An English writer, poet, and playwright who later became an outspoken opponent of the theatre. He is famous for his anti-theatrical tracts, including 'The Schoole of Abuse' (1579) and 'Plays Confuted in Five Actions' (1582). The quote about ransacking foreign comedies is characteristic of his criticism of the London stage.
• George Farquhar: An Irish playwright of the Restoration period, active much later than 1582 (early 18th century).

Based on the authorship of 'Plays Confuted in Five Actions' and the timeline, Stephen Gosson is the author who made the observation quoted in the pamphlet.

Stephen Gosson and Anti-Theatrical Views

Stephen Gosson (1558–1624) was initially involved in writing for the stage but later became a staunch critic of it, adopting a Puritan stance against plays and actors. His most famous work, 'The Schoole of Abuse', was published in 1579 and dedicated to Sir Philip Sidney, who later responded with his own defense of poetry. 'Plays Confuted in Five Actions' (1582) is a follow-up pamphlet reinforcing his earlier arguments against the morality and effects of plays. The quote reflects his view that the London stage was importing morally questionable material from continental Europe.

Therefore, the author who observed this in 'Plays Confuted in Five Actions' was Stephen Gosson.

The quote accurately reflects Stephen Gosson's perspective on the theatre scene in London during the late 16th century, viewing the importation of foreign comedies as evidence of the stage's corrupting influence.

Revision Table: Key Facts about Stephen Gosson

Additional Information: Anti-Theatrical Criticism in Elizabethan England

The Elizabethan era, while famous for its dramatic output, also saw significant opposition to the theatre. This opposition came from various groups, including Puritans, who viewed plays as immoral, distracting, and corrupting influences on society. Pamphlets were a common medium for this debate.

• Key Critics: Besides Stephen Gosson, other critics included John Northbrooke, Philip Stubbes, and William Prynne (though Prynne was later, in the 17th century).
• Arguments Against Plays: Critics argued that plays promoted idleness, encouraged vice, drew people away from church, led to immoral behavior, and were often performed on the Sabbath.
• Arguments For Plays: Defenders of the theatre, like Thomas Lodge and Sir Philip Sidney, argued for the educational and moral value of plays and poetry, seeing them as capable of teaching virtue and moving people to good actions.
• Context of the Quote: Gosson's quote specifically targets the content of the plays, suggesting that by drawing on foreign "bawdy comedies," the London stage was deliberately choosing material that was sexually suggestive and morally questionable, further reinforcing his arguments against theatre.

This debate over the nature and impact of theatre was a significant cultural conflict of the period, highlighting tensions between entertainment, morality, and religious views.