Ebenezer Cooke 
The Sot-weed Factor: or, A Voyage to Maryland. A Satyr 

Ebenezer Cooke’s ‘The Sot-weed Factor: or, A Voyage to Maryland. A Satyr’ is a satirical epic poem that satirizes the early English colonists in Maryland during the 17th century. Written in a mock-epic style, the poem follows the adventures of the protagonist, Ebenezer Cooke, as he travels to the New World and encounters various comical characters and situations. Cooke uses rich language, vivid imagery, and wit to highlight the absurdity of colonial life and the clash of cultures. The poem is a scathing indictment of the greed, corruption, and hypocrisy of the colonial society, making it a poignant commentary on the human condition. Cooke’s masterful use of satire elevates the poem to a work of enduring literary value, making it a timeless classic in American literature. Recommended for readers interested in satire, colonial history, and the human experience.

Circa l’autore

Ebenezer Cooke, an enigmatic poet of colonial America, is best known for his mock-heroic poem, ‘The Sot-weed Factor: or, A Voyage to Maryland. A Satyr, ‘ which stands as a satirical account of English colonial life. The paucity of biographical information renders Cooke a somewhat shadowy figure in early American literature, with ‘The Sot-weed Factor’ serving as the primary lens through which scholars glean insights into his literary style and historical context. Composed in the early 1700s and published in London in 1708, Cooke’s satirical poem takes aim at the rough and tumble life in the colonies, reflecting on the exploitation and hardships associated with the burgeoning tobacco trade. His work encapsulates the wit and candor typical of the Augustan age satire, employed to critique the chaotic social fabric of Maryland’s colonial society. The poem’s significance extends beyond its humor, offering a textured portrayal of the complexities and contradictions of colonial expansion. The character of the Sot-weed Factor, or tobacco merchant, becomes an allegorical figure through which Cooke confronts themes of greed, deception, and the pursuit of wealth. Despite the scarcity of detailed biographical data on Cooke, his contribution to American literary tradition through ‘The Sot-weed Factor’ remains a valued artifact for understanding the cultural and social dynamics of early colonial life, providing a lens into the interplay of commerce, morality, and the human condition during this formative period.