Janson’s plots are his own, while those of Shakespeare are borrowed form history, Both English and Roman, and from contemporary plays, novels, etc. Ben Jonson in this respect is much more original. But it must be admitted that though Ben Jonson is more original, Shakespeare shows much greater art and skill in the handling of his plots.
The different elements are well knit, and the result is a harmonious, organic whole. Ben Jonson does not have such a sense of plot, and in his later comedies his plots tend to disintegrate. Shakespeare’s plots, despite all their extravagance, are artistically knit, and create an impression of the richness and fullness of life.