The University Wits

These volumes demonstrate the importance of the small group of university-educated Renaissance writers commonly known as the 'University Wits': John Lyly, Thomas Lodge, George Peele, Robert Greene, Christopher Marlowe and Thomas Nashe. Each of these Wits is the subject of a dedicated volume of perceptive and wide-ranging critical essays which bring together the most important scholarly work to date on the group and illuminate the distinctive characteristics of each Wit. In addition, the introduction to each volume offers fresh perspectives on the biography and literary output of each Wit. This set of six volumes highlights the role of the Wits as not only responsible for major improvements in the course of English drama, but also for providing Shakespeare with a context of theatrical possibilities that helped spur him to success.

It is an invaluable and authoritative resource for students, teachers and scholars in the fields of early modern literature, Shakespeare studies and theatre studies.