How did the University Wits influence the drama scene in England? Or, Assess the contributions of the major predecessors of Shakespeare to Elizabethan Drama. Or, Who were the ‘University Wits’? Why are they called so? Briefly assess the contribution to the field of drama. Or, Write an essay on the contribution of University Wits/ Pre-Shakespearean dramatists.

How did the University Wits influence the drama scene in England?

Or,

Assess the contributions of the major predecessors of Shakespeare to Elizabethan Drama.

Or,

Who were the ‘University Wits’? Why are they called so? Briefly assess the contribution to the field of drama.

Or,

Write an essay on the contribution of University Wits/ Pre-Shakespearean dramatists.

The Pre-Shakespearean dramatists are known as the ‘University Wits’. They are so called as nearly all of them were closely associated with oxford and Cambridge University. As we know the condition of the drama that preceded them was precarious and chaotic; - “The classicists had form, but not fire; the popular dramatists had interest, but little sense of form”. They tried and were able to unite the classical conception of the drama and enthusiasm and favour of the popular dramatists. They were usually actors and dramatists. Their training began as actors. They revised old plays and finally became independent writers. They all were more or less acquainted with each other, and most of them led irregular Bohemian lives. Their plays had several features in common.

                   

Albert sums up-

(a)  There was a fondness for heroic themes, such as the lives of great figures like Mohammed and Tamburlaine.

(b)   Heroic themes needed heroic treatment: great fullness and variety; splendid descriptions, long swelling speeches, the handling of violent incidents and emotions. These qualities, excellent when held in restraint, only too often led to loudness and disorder.

(c)   Style also was ‘heroic.’ The chief aim was to achieve strong and sounding lines, magnificent epithets, and powerful declamation. This again led to abuse and to mere bombast, mouthing, and in the worst cases to nonsense. In the best examples, such as in Marlowe, the result is quite impressive. In this connexion it is to be noted that the best medium for such expression was blank verse, which was sufficiently elastic to bear the strong pressure of these expansive methods.

(d)   The themes were usually tragic in nature, for the dramatists were as a rule too much in earnest to give heed to what was considered to be the lower species of comedy. The general lack of real humour in the early drama is one of its most prominent features. Humour, when it is brought in at all, is coarse and immature.

1) JOHN LYLY:

 Lyly wrote comedies which were intended for the child actors in royal service. His charming romantic Plays are all comedies. They are- Women in the Moon, Endymion, Sappho and Phas, Alexander and Campaspe, Midas, Mother Bombie and Love’s Metamorphosis........................................................................................................................................

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