"The only source of the true Ridiculous (as it appears to me) is affectation. * * * Now affectation proceeds from one of these two causes, vanity or hypocrisy; for as vanity puts us on affecting false characters, in order to purchase applause; so hypocrisy sets us on an endeavour to avoid censure, by concealing our vices under an appearance of their opposite virtues. * * *
"From the discovery of this affectation arises the Ridiculous;
- * * I might observe, that our Ben Jonson, who of all
men understood the Ridiculous the best, hath chiefly used the hypocritical affectation."
He remarks that this is more amusing than vanity, from
the sharper contrast with reality, and adds:
"Now, from affectation only, the misfortunes and calamities
of life, or the imperfections of nature, may become the objects
of ridicule. * * *
"The poet carries this very far:
'None are for being what they are in fault,
But for not being what they would be thought.'"
He concludes:
"Great vices are the proper objects of our detestation, smaller
faults of our pity; but affectation appears to me the only true
source of the Ridiculous."
Fielding's comment on Jonson is in turn applied to him
by a modern critic:[1]
"All Fielding's evil characters, it may be remarked, are
accomplished hypocrites; on pure vanity or silliness he spends
very few of his shafts."
- [Footnote: name of satire is formidable to those persons, who would appear to the world
what they are not in themselves:"]
- ↑ Raleigh: The English Novel.
