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Questions and Answers
What is the primary theme explored in Thomas Lodge's Rosalynde?
What is the primary theme explored in Thomas Lodge's Rosalynde?
What is the primary theme of Christopher Marlowe's play 'Doctor Faustus'?
What is the primary theme of Christopher Marlowe's play 'Doctor Faustus'?
Which work by John Lyly is centered around the moon goddess Cynthia?
Which work by John Lyly is centered around the moon goddess Cynthia?
'Tamurlaine the Great' is a two-part play primarily about which character?
'Tamurlaine the Great' is a two-part play primarily about which character?
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What significant literary innovation is associated with the University Wits?
What significant literary innovation is associated with the University Wits?
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Which playwright co-wrote 'Dido, Queen of Carthage' with Christopher Marlowe?
Which playwright co-wrote 'Dido, Queen of Carthage' with Christopher Marlowe?
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Which playwright is known for the revenge tragedy The Spanish Tragedy?
Which playwright is known for the revenge tragedy The Spanish Tragedy?
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What aspect of human experience did the University Wits commonly focus on in their works?
What aspect of human experience did the University Wits commonly focus on in their works?
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'A Looking Glass for London and England' was co-written by Robert Greene and which other writer?
'A Looking Glass for London and England' was co-written by Robert Greene and which other writer?
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Which character is central to Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy?
Which character is central to Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy?
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Which work is attributed to Robert Greene and involves magic and romance?
Which work is attributed to Robert Greene and involves magic and romance?
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Which of the following works is a historical play about King Edward II's reign?
Which of the following works is a historical play about King Edward II's reign?
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What genre does the play Campaspe by John Lyly belong to?
What genre does the play Campaspe by John Lyly belong to?
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What societal themes did the University Wits commonly incorporate into their works?
What societal themes did the University Wits commonly incorporate into their works?
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What genre does 'The Unfortunate Traveller, or The Life of Jack Wilton' belong to?
What genre does 'The Unfortunate Traveller, or The Life of Jack Wilton' belong to?
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Which play is often seen as a precursor to Shakespeare's King Lear?
Which play is often seen as a precursor to Shakespeare's King Lear?
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What is the primary focus of 'The Jew of Malta' written by Christopher Marlowe?
What is the primary focus of 'The Jew of Malta' written by Christopher Marlowe?
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Which playwright is known for the comedic play 'The Old Wives' Tale'?
Which playwright is known for the comedic play 'The Old Wives' Tale'?
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What characteristic is notable about the characters created by the University Wits?
What characteristic is notable about the characters created by the University Wits?
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What significant influence did 'Pandosto: The Triumph of Time' have on later literature?
What significant influence did 'Pandosto: The Triumph of Time' have on later literature?
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Which of the following University Wits is associated with the play 'The Jew of Malta'?
Which of the following University Wits is associated with the play 'The Jew of Malta'?
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What type of work is 'Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay' considered to be?
What type of work is 'Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay' considered to be?
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Which play is credited as an inspiration for Shakespeare's 'The Winter's Tale'?
Which play is credited as an inspiration for Shakespeare's 'The Winter's Tale'?
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Who is the central character in the play 'Edward II'?
Who is the central character in the play 'Edward II'?
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Which University Wit wrote 'Dido, Queen of Carthage'?
Which University Wit wrote 'Dido, Queen of Carthage'?
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In which genre is 'Pierce Penniless, His Supplication to the Devil' categorized?
In which genre is 'Pierce Penniless, His Supplication to the Devil' categorized?
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Which historical event does 'The Battle of Alcazar' relate to?
Which historical event does 'The Battle of Alcazar' relate to?
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What literary movement heavily influenced the themes explored by the University Wits?
What literary movement heavily influenced the themes explored by the University Wits?
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In which work does the character Apelles appear, alongside his love for Campaspe?
In which work does the character Apelles appear, alongside his love for Campaspe?
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Which of the following plays is known for its critique of societal corruption?
Which of the following plays is known for its critique of societal corruption?
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Which drama by Marlowe incorporates both tragic and comic elements?
Which drama by Marlowe incorporates both tragic and comic elements?
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What is the main theme of 'Tamburlaine the Great'?
What is the main theme of 'Tamburlaine the Great'?
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Which character is associated with the play 'Hero and Leander'?
Which character is associated with the play 'Hero and Leander'?
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What did the University Wits primarily advance in English dramatic poetry?
What did the University Wits primarily advance in English dramatic poetry?
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Which character is most associated with themes of revenge in Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy?
Which character is most associated with themes of revenge in Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy?
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Which work, authored by John Lyly, revolves around the theme of unrequited love and divine interaction?
Which work, authored by John Lyly, revolves around the theme of unrequited love and divine interaction?
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What theme is prominently explored in Thomas Lodge's Scillaes Metamorphosis?
What theme is prominently explored in Thomas Lodge's Scillaes Metamorphosis?
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Which playwright is credited with influencing Shakespeare's Hamlet?
Which playwright is credited with influencing Shakespeare's Hamlet?
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What type of narrative does Thomas Lodge’s The Life and Death of William Longbeard represent?
What type of narrative does Thomas Lodge’s The Life and Death of William Longbeard represent?
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What element of characterization is notably advanced by the University Wits compared to earlier medieval drama?
What element of characterization is notably advanced by the University Wits compared to earlier medieval drama?
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Study Notes
University Wits: English Playwrights
- The University Wits were English playwrights active in the late 16th century, educated at Oxford or Cambridge.
- The term "University Wits" was coined by George Saintsbury, a 19th-century journalist and author, not used during their time.
- Thomas Kyd, though influential, did not attend either university.
Key Playwrights and Works
-
Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593):
- Doctor Faustus (1592): A tragedy about a scholar's pact with the devil, exploring knowledge, power, and damnation.
- Tamburlaine the Great (Parts I and II) (1587-1588): A two-part play detailing the rise and fall of a conquering hero.
- The Jew of Malta (1589): A dark comedy centered on Barabas, a wealthy Jewish merchant, driven by greed and revenge.
- Edward II (1592): A historical play portraying the reign and downfall of King Edward II of England, examining royal power and personal desire.
- Hero and Leander: An unfinished poem, later completed posthumously by George Chapman, recounting the love story of Hero and Leander.
- Dido, Queen of Carthage (1586): A play, co-written with Thomas Nashe, based on Virgil's Aeneid, depicting the tragic love of Dido and Aeneas.
-
Robert Greene (1558-1592):
- Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay (1590): A comedic and romantic play including magical elements, the lives of historical figures, and a love triangle.
- Pandosto: The Triumph of Time (1588): A prose romance, a source for Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, exploring jealousy, redemption, and reconciliation.
- A Looking Glass for London and England (1589): A morality play, co-authored with Thomas Lodge, criticizing societal corruption and sin.
-
Thomas Nashe (1567-1601):
- The Unfortunate Traveller, or The Life of Jack Wilton (1594): A picaresque novel detailing Jack Wilton's adventurous travels.
- Pierce Penniless, His Supplication to the Devil (1592): A satirical work with a poor writer's grievances directed towards the devil.
-
George Peele (1556-1596):
- The Battle of Alcazar (c. 1589): A historical play about the Portuguese king Sebastian's defeat at the Battle of Alcazar (1578).
- The Old Wives' Tale (c. 1595): A comic play focused on deception in marriage.
- Edward I (c. 1593): A historical play about the reign of Edward I of England.
-
John Lyly (1553-1606):
- Endimion, the Man in the Moon (c. 1591): A romantic comedy about the moon goddess Cynthia's love for the mortal Endimion.
- Campaspe (c. 1584): A comedy based on the Greek tale of the painter Apelles and his mistress Campaspe.
- Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (1578): A prose romance concerning the adventures of Euphues.
-
Thomas Lodge (1558-1625):
- Rosalynde (1590): A pastoral romance, a source for Shakespeare's As You Like It.
- Scillaes Metamorphosis (1589): A poem on the Greek myth of Scylla and Glaucus, exploring themes of love and transformation.
- The Life and Death of William Longbeard (1593): A historical narrative detailing the life of William Longbeard.
-
Thomas Kyd (1558-1594):
- The Spanish Tragedy (c. 1587-1592): A revenge tragedy influencing Shakespeare's Hamlet.
- The Tragedy of King Leir (c. 1590s): Often considered a precursor to Shakespeare's King Lear.
Key Features of University Wit's Plays
- Classical Influences: Derived inspiration from Greek and Roman plays like those by Seneca, Plautus, and Terence.
- Humanism and Individualism: Explored human nature, morality, ambition, and individual experience.
- Political and Social Commentary: Included themes of kingship, power, and social structures.
- Tragedy and Comedy: Presented both tragic and comedic elements in their plays.
- Innovative Characterization: Developed psychologically complex characters compared to earlier works.
- Blank Verse: Employed the use of blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter), becoming a standard in English drama.
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Description
Explore the contributions of the University Wits, a group of influential English playwrights from the late 16th century, including Christopher Marlowe and Robert Greene. This quiz covers their notable works and the literary context of their era. Test your knowledge on their plays and contributions to English drama.
