SOURCE: Herendeen, W. H. “Like a Circle Bounded in Itself: Jonson, Camden, and the Strategies of Praise.” Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies 11, no. 2 (fall 1981): 137-67.

In the following essay, Herendeen examines the relationship between Camden and Renaissance playwright Ben Jonson, noting Jonson's frequent claims of literary and personal indebtedness to his friend and mentor in his literary works.

I

William Camden assumed a place of unique importance not only in Jonson's life, but in his writing. His friendship, instruction, and the example he set were highly esteemed by the poet, and Jonson's expressions of gratitude were warm and frequent. But they were more than friendly expressions of indebtedness; Jonson made Camden a quietly influential presence among the varied inhabitants of his work, one which clearly resembles his undemonstrative influence in Jonson's own rather dramatic life. But to properly understand Jonson's praise of his antiquarian friend, one must...