In spite of the fact that plenty of criticism is available on English Drama, the present book has its own importance to the students of literature. The student commonly searches through the available stock of criticism for details of the plots and characters, and specimens of the verse of interludes and plays which due to time, opportunity, and availability of publications sometimes makes difficult for him, though notable exceptions to this generalization exist. The present volume attempts on a comprehensive plan. It presents, side by side with criticism, such data as may enable the reader to form an independent judgment. Possibly for the first time in a book of this scope almost all the plays of the University Wits receive separate consideration, while such familiar titles as Hick Scorner, Gammer Gurton’s Needle, and The Misfortunes of Arthur Cease to be mere names appended to an argument. As a consequence it has been possible to examine in detail the influence of such men as Heywood, Udall, Sackville, and Kyd, and to trace from its beginning, with much closer observation than a more general method permits, the evolution of the Elizabethan Drama. The opening chapter talks of Conservative Church Drama of Early Europe and English Miracle Plays followed by Moralities and Interludes. While taking into account The Rise of Comedy and Tragedy the publications studies the Men of Comedy like Lyly, Greene, Peele and Nash and the Men of Tragedy like Lodge, Kyd and Marlowe. Exclusive chapters are devoted to the style and influences of Shakespearean Drama and Emotions and Their Nature in the Drama. After Elizabethan Period: the Drama of The Restoration and Post Restoration Period are discussed with closing remarks and important notes on The Elizabethan Stage. The Publication is extremely useful for the students of English literature in general and a drams enthusiast in particular and provides a valuable reference for complete short and focused study which a student very much needs today.
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