When Pigs Fly: Ben Jonson's "The Devil is an Ass" and the Phrase That Defied Logic
Ever heard someone say "that'll happen when pigs fly" and wondered where that colorful expression came from? It's one of those phrases we use so often we rarely stop to think about its origins. Turns out, it has literary roots in Ben Jonson's 1616 comedy "The Devil is an Ass." The play itself is a wild ride through Jacobean London, full of greedy fools, supernatural shenanigans, and a devil who's more exasperated than evil. And yes, somewhere in all that chaos, someone actually says something about pigs flying. But why does this matter? Because understanding where our everyday language comes from connects us to centuries of human experience and wit That's the part that actually makes a difference..
What Is "The Devil is an Ass"
"The Devil is an Ass" is a Jacobean comedy by Ben Jonson, first performed in 1616 at the Blackfriars Theatre. It tells the story of a devil named Mephistophilis (yes, that one from Faustus lore) who's sent to Earth to tempt humans but finds himself frustrated by the sheer absurdity of human greed and folly. The play follows several characters: Wittipol, a cynical nobleman; Fungoso, a foolish heir obsessed with spending his fortune; and a host of other Londoners caught up in various schemes and delusions.
The Plot's Core
At its heart, the play revolves around the devil's mission. So mephistophilis arrives in London expecting to find worthy souls to tempt and corrupt. Instead, he encounters people who are already making fools of themselves without any supernatural intervention. The rich are obsessed with status, the poor with getting rich quick, and everyone seems determined to out-stupid one another. The devil, in Jonson's hands, becomes more of a bemused observer than a terrifying force.
Character Studies
Jonson's characters are vivid satirical portraits. Fungoso, the heir, spends his money on ridiculous luxuries, believing that buying expensive things will make him impressive. Wittipol sees through everyone's foolishness but can't quite escape the game himself. And then there's the devil himself, who starts the play confident in his ability to corrupt but ends up exasperated by how easy it is for humans to ruin themselves without any help from hell.
Why It Matters / Why People Care
"The Devil is an Ass" matters because it's a time capsule of early 17th-century London, capturing the anxieties and absurdities of a society undergoing rapid change. Jonson was a master of comedy that also made serious points about human nature, and this play is no exception. It satirizes greed, social climbing, and the gap between appearance and reality—concerns that feel remarkably modern Small thing, real impact..
The Enduring Phrase
And then there's the phrase "when pigs fly." In the play, one character uses this expression to describe something utterly impossible. The exact context varies depending on which edition you're reading, but the sentiment remains the same: some things are so unlikely they might as well involve flying pigs. This phrase has endured for over 400 years because it captures a universal truth about human experience—some things just aren't going to happen, no matter how much we wish otherwise.
Jonson's Satirical Genius
What makes this play particularly interesting is how Jonson turns traditional expectations upside down. The devil isn't the scary figure of medieval morality plays; he's more like a frustrated bureaucrat dealing with incompetent employees. This inversion allows Jonson to comment on human folly from a unique perspective, suggesting that we don't need supernatural forces to make bad decisions—we're perfectly capable of messing up all on our own.
How It Works (or How to Do It)
Understanding "The Devil is an Ass" requires appreciating Jonson's particular brand of comedy, which differs from Shakespeare's more romantic approach. Jonson's comedy is based on observation and satire, rather than mistaken identities or magical transformations. Here's how the play works on multiple levels:
The Structure of Satire
Jonson builds his play around a series of satirical targets. Each character represents a particular folly or vice. In real terms, fungoso embodies mindless consumerism, while other characters chase social status or wealth through increasingly ridiculous means. The devil serves as a chorus of sorts, commenting on human absurdity from his supernatural perspective. This structure allows Jonson to critique multiple aspects of society in a single play That alone is useful..
Language and Wordplay
Jonson was a master of language, and "The Devil is an Ass" is filled with clever wordplay and double meanings. Still, characters speak in elaborate, often artificial language that reveals their pretensions. The lower-class characters might use more direct language, while the upper classes speak in affected, polysyllabic phrases that distance them from reality. This linguistic contrast helps highlight the gap between appearance and reality that Jonson wants to critique.
The Devil's Perspective
Perhaps the most innovative aspect of the play is its use of the devil as a narrator figure. So humans, he discovers, don't need supernatural temptation to act foolishly—they're perfectly capable of self-destruction without any help from hell. And mephistophilis begins the play with the traditional demonic confidence, expecting to find souls ripe for corruption. As the play progresses, however, he becomes increasingly disillusioned. This perspective shift allows Jonson to make a profound point about human nature.
And yeah — that's actually more nuanced than it sounds Simple, but easy to overlook..
Common Mistakes
The play’s enduring appeal lies in its sharp wit and layered characters, making it a compelling study for both literary enthusiasts and casual readers. On the flip side, diving deeper into its nuances can reveal additional layers that enhance understanding. Many viewers might overlook the subtle interplay between humor and moral reflection, missing how Jonson uses irony to underscore the consequences of human error. It’s crucial to recognize that the humor isn’t just for laughter—it’s a tool for engaging with timeless issues of responsibility and behavior.
And yeah — that's actually more nuanced than it sounds.
Another aspect often misunderstood is the importance of timing and pacing in Jonson’s comedy. Still, the characters’ interactions build tension and resolution at just the right moments, ensuring that each punchline lands with impact. Paying attention to these elements can transform a reading experience, turning passive observation into an active engagement with the text.
Adding to this, the play’s setting in 17th-century England offers a historical backdrop that enriches its themes. By examining how societal norms and expectations shaped human actions, readers can better appreciate the play’s relevance across different eras. This contextual awareness deepens the appreciation of Jonson’s craft.
As we reflect on these observations, it becomes clear that "The Devil is an Ass" is more than a satire of its time—it’s a mirror held up to our own capacity for choice and consequence. Its lessons resonate powerfully, reminding us that understanding these truths is essential for growth.
To wrap this up, engaging with "The Devil is an Ass" is a rewarding journey through wit, critique, and insight. Jonson’s work stands as a testament to the enduring power of satire in revealing the complexities of human experience. Embracing this complexity ensures we fully grasp the universal truths it seeks to convey And that's really what it comes down to..
Theplay’s legacy also rests on its daring structural choices. Here's the thing — by allowing a demonic voice to comment on the action, Jonson creates a meta‑theatrical frame that invites the audience to question the reliability of both the characters and the narrator himself. This technique anticipates the self‑reflexive strategies later employed by Restoration dramatists and even modern experimental theatre.
In the centuries that followed, “The Devil is an Ass” served as a template for playwrights who sought to expose the hypocrisy of social climbers and the pretensions of the emerging merchant class. Molière, for instance, borrowed Jonson’s blend of sharp dialogue with moral didacticism, while later satirists such as Henry Fielding echoed the same blend of humor and social critique in their novels and stage works. The play’s influence can be traced not only through direct imitation but also through its thematic resonance—particularly the idea that the most potent temptations arise from within the human psyche.
Contemporary productions have embraced the play’s flexibility, often reimagining the setting to highlight its universal qualities. In real terms, recent adaptations place the action in a corporate boardroom, a digital social‑media landscape, or a stylized vaudeville stage, underscoring how the same vanity and opportunism that drove 17th‑century London’s wannabe elites now manifest in today’s celebrity culture. These reinterpretations demonstrate that Jonson’s cautionary tale is not a relic of the past but a living commentary on the perpetual human tendency to chase status at any cost That alone is useful..
Scholars continue to debate the play’s tonal balance, arguing whether its primary purpose is to mock the vanity of its characters or to offer a more nuanced critique of the social mobility mechanisms that defined early modern England. This ongoing scholarly conversation keeps the work vibrant, encouraging fresh perspectives that link Jonson’s satire to contemporary concerns about authenticity, ambition, and the performative aspects of identity The details matter here. Took long enough..
The bottom line: “The Devil is an Ass” endures because it captures a timeless paradox: the very qualities that propel individuals toward greatness also furnish the material for their most spectacular downfall. Consider this: by exposing the mechanisms of self‑deception and ambition, Jonson provides a mirror that remains unsettlingly relevant, urging each new generation to examine the motivations that drive their own pursuits. The play’s blend of wit, moral insight, and structural ingenuity ensures that it will continue to provoke, entertain, and challenge audiences for centuries to come Most people skip this — try not to. Took long enough..
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