Gallathea by John Lyly is a graceful and inventive Elizabethan pastoral comedy that blends mythology, romance, disguise, and philosophical reflection into a richly poetic stage work. Set in an idyllic rural landscape infused with classical influences, the play explores themes of love, identity, transformation, and the complexities of human desire. The story centers on two young women, Gallathea and Phillida, who are each disguised as boys by their fathers to avoid a sacrificial fate demand...

First published in 1962, John Lyly marks a shift from the traditional focus on John Lyly as the originator of the strange stylistic craze called Euphuism, and as the dramatist from whose plays Shakespeare deigned to borrow some of his earliest and least attractive comic devices to an author whose works are excellent in themselves. Critics have suggested that an independent reading of Euphues, and more especially of the plays, reveals an attractive delicacy of wit...

The Elizabethan writer John Lyly is regarded as the first prose stylist to leave an enduring impression upon the English language. His prose romance concerning the misadventures of Euphues, regarded by some as the first novel of English literature, launched his literary career in 1580’s London. Lyly’s interest with the exact arrangement and selection of words, his frequent use of classical similes and his artificial, yet elegant prose established the ‘euphuism’ style. In his work a...

John Lyly's "Endymion, The Man in the Moon" is a remarkable exploration of love, desire, and the interplay between reality and fantasy. Written in the late 16th century, this prose comedy unfolds in a richly textured, poetic style filled with elegant dialogue and intricate wordplay. Lyly blends classical mythology with the emerging trends of English Renaissance literature, crafting a narrative centered around the titular character's dream-like pursuit of the Moon goddess, Cynthia. This wor...

John Lyly is the first collection of essays dedicated solely to the work of this University Wit, celebrity prose writer, and playwright to the court of Elizabeth. Lyly's energy and wit inspired his contemporaries to follow new directions in prose fiction and stage comedy, and his writings still illuminate sixteenth-century culture for the modern reader. The twenty-four essays in this selection include some older classics, but most date from 1990 onwards and reflect current critical concern...

The Elizabethan writer John Lyly is regarded as the first prose stylist to leave an enduring impression upon the English language. His prose romance concerning the misadventures of Euphues, regarded by some as the first novel of English literature, launched his literary career in 1580’s London. Lyly’s interest with the exact arrangement and selection of words, his frequent use of classical similes and his artificial, yet elegant prose established the ‘euphuism’ style. In his work a...

John Lyly's MIDAS tells the story of King Midas of Phrygia, who wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. He also judged a music contest between two gods and chose the wrong god.Do you know a language other than English? If you do, I give you permission to translate this book, copyright your translation, publish or self-publish it, and keep all the royalties for yourself. (Do give me credit, of course, for the original retelling.)I would like to see my retelling...

John Lyly's "Endymion, The Man in the Moon" is a dazzling example of Elizabethan prose, seamlessly blending classical mythology with themes of love and desire. Written in 1591, the play captivates audiences with its rich, lyricism and intricate wordplay, showcasing Lyly's penchant for clever dialogues and rhetorical finesse. Set against the backdrop of the moon, the narrative delves into the love story of Endymion and the moon goddess Cynthia, exploring the tensions between aspiration and ...

John Lyly's comedy MOTHER BOMBIE is about the trials and tribulations of young lovers who go against their parents' wishes. It has a happy ending.Do you know a language other than English? If you do, I give you permission to translate this book, copyright your translation, publish or self-publish it, and keep all the royalties for yourself. (Do give me credit, of course, for the original retelling.)I would like to see my retellings of classic literature used in schools, so ...

This is an easy-to-read retelling of John Lyly's CAMPASPE. Reading this retelling first will help you to understand the original play.Do you know a language other than English? If you do, I give you permission to translate this book, copyright your translation, publish or self-publish it, and keep all the royalties for yourself. (Do give me credit, of course, for the original retelling.)I would like to see my retellings of classic literature used in schools, so I give permi...

This is an easy-to-read retelling of John Lyly's THE WOMAN IN THE MOON, about Pandora, the first woman.Do you know a language other than English? If you do, I give you permission to translate this book, copyright your translation, publish or self-publish it, and keep all the royalties for yourself. (Do give me credit, of course, for the original retelling.)I would like to see my retellings of classic literature used in schools, so I give permission to the country of Finland...

John Lyly's MIDAS tells the story of King Midas of Phrygia, who wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. He also judged a music contest between two gods and chose the wrong god.