A gentleman reading a poem that began with Where is that man that never yet did hear Of fair Penelope, Ulysses' queen? [Jonson] calling his cook, asked if he had ever heard of her, who answering 'No,' demonstrate to him Lo, there the man that never yet did hear Of fair Penelope, Ulysses' queen.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Jonson uses a humorous anecdote to illustrate that ignorance is common and often unnoticed until pointed out.
- In plain terms
- The cook's lack of knowledge about Penelope proves the gentleman's own point about how rare true awareness is.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize that others may lack knowledge you assume is universal.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How often do we assume others know what we know?
- What counts as essential knowledge in your field?
Another view
The story relies on a specific classical reference that may not land with modern readers.
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