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Unit 5: The Renaissance-University Wits and Contribution of Shakespeare to This Age

The upheaval in the accepted social hierarchy allowed Shakespeare to explore the human- Notes
ity of every character regardless of their social position. Even monarchs are given human
emotions and are capable of making mistakes.
Shakespeare utilized his knowledge of Greek and Roman classics when writing his plays.
Before the renaissance, these texts had been suppressed by the Catholic Church.

5.8 Summary

Christopher Marlowe (baptised 26 February 1564; died 30 May 1593) was an English dra-
matist, poet and translator of the Elizabethan era.
Lodge’s known dramatic work is small in quantity. In conjunction with Robert Greene he,
probably in 1590, produced in a popular vein the odd but far from feeble play, A Looking
Glass for London and England (published 1594).
Sir Clyomon and Sir Clamydes (printed 1599) has been attributed to Peele, but on insuffi-
cient grounds.
Lyly must also be considered and remembered as a primary influence on the plays of
William Shakespeare, and in particular the romantic comedies.

5.9 Keywords

Thomas Nashe : Thomas Nashe was an English Elizabethan pamphleteer, playwright, poet
and satirist.
Thomas Lodge : Thomas Lodge was an English dramatist and writer of the Elizabethan and
Jacobean periods.

5.10 Review Questions

1. How many the chief university wits include?
2. Who was Christopher Marlowe and Robert Greene? Explain.
3. What was the difference between Thomas Nashe and Thomas Lodge?
4. Who was the George peele and John Lyly?
5. What is the Renaissance-contribution of Shakespeare to this age?
Answers : Self Assessment

1. (c) 1593 2. (b) Robert Greene 3. (a) Thomas Nashe
4. (d) George peele 5. (b) John Lyly

5.11 Further Readings

Books The Concise Cambridge History of English Literature, 3rd edition CUP, New
Delhi 2005: Sampson, George.
History of English Literature, Cambridge University Press, London, 1968: Legouis
and Cazamian.
A Critical History of English Literature, IV Vol, 2nd ed. Ronald, New York, 1970:
Daiches, David.

Online links ellen-wilson.suite101.com/the-university-wits-a51014
internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/SLT/drama/contemporaries/greene.html
freehelpstoenglishliterature.blogspot.com/2009/02/university-wits.html

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