Anonymous (I) (2011)

Sebastian Armesto: Ben Jonson

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Quotes 

• Anne De Vere : You, your friends, your blasphemous theater have brought nothing but ruin and dishonor to this family.

  Ben Jonson : Ruin? Dishonor? My lady, you, your family, even I, even Queen Elizabeth herself will be remembered solely because we had the honor to live whilst your husband put ink to paper.

• Ben Jonson : Politics? My play has nothing to do with politics. I-i-i-it's just a simple comedy.

  Earl of Oxford : It showed your betters as fools who'd go through life barely managing to get food from plate to mouth were it not for the cleverness of their servants. All art is political, Jonson, otherwise it would just be decoration. And all artists have something to say, otherwise they'd make shoes. And you are not a cobbler, are you Jonson.

• Ben Jonson : You are the soul of the age... Undeniable perfection that plagued my soul.

• William Shakespeare : ...and the whole bloody thing in verse.

  Ben Jonson : It's really not that difficult... if you try.

  William Shakespeare : Oh, and have you ever tried? But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun...

  Ben Jonson : You. Cannot. Play Romeo.

  William Shakespeare : What! Why not? I'm perfect for the role. I'm perfect! I will not let that oaf Spencer have another go at one of my roles. No! Only Will Shakespeare can pump the life into Romeo's veins!... And his codpiece.

• Ben Jonson : My lord, I... I am not worthy of this charge. I betrayed you.I told them of your...

  Earl of Oxford : I have made it my life's work to know the character of men, Jonson. I know you. You may have betrayed me... but you will never betray my words.