Ben Jonson’s 1545 Aldine Copy of the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili and its Role in his Early Masques

The Hypnerotomachia Poliphili (hereafter ‘ HP’) was published anonymously through the Aldine Press in Venice in 1499 and again in 1545. It is a philosophical dream vision and love narrative incorporating scholastic and humanist learning. Although it sold only a few copies in Italy at first, it has captured the imagination of numerous artists and authors. The narrative displays an engagement with architectural theory, scholastic and humanist philosophy, Neoplatonic, alchemical and mathematical symbolism beside elegy, lovesickness, garden design and topographical symbolism. Its story is written in a combination of Italian vernacular and Latin, and though read by a few, was the source of much inspiration. This is the case for Ben Jonson, as is observed through his extensive marginalia in his copy of the 1545 HP and through the echoes of the HP’s narrative in his masques. This paper endeavours to critically examine this relationship.