TRICKS TO REMEMBER “THE UNIVERSITY WITS"

               Elizabethan age is known for its evoking of new kinds of dramatic style, structure, and its omission of the strict rules of the ancient traditions and rules (three unities). In history, first time, it has begot the great dramatists who have been shaking the literary world till now. Here we have University Wits, William Shakespeare, and Ben Jonson as playwrights and among them William Shakespeare is known for his wonderful creative power but he has just walked on the road with good pace which is perfectly paved by the University Wits. Without them, one cannot think about him. Maximum of his works have their source from their works. For this, he is vehemently criticized by Robert Greene.                 

      According to Robert Greene, Shakespeare is just a crow who beautifies itself by the feathers of other beautiful birds.

           If a question is asked about the names of University Wits, definitely our mind starts to think over it and finally we will say three or more.  Here I have made an easy shortcut to understand and memorize this. I believe that you are not going to forget them till your departure from this earth if you really love literature. I challenge within 1 minute I can make you to memorize this. Be ready for the challenge.

 

Lily(1) is Peeled(2) by a Kid(3) in front of a Lodge(4) and the colors of the lodge are Greene(5) and Ash(6) which is owned by Marlowe(7).  That’s it.

1.      John Lyly

2.      George Peele

3.      Thomas Kyd

4.      Thomas Lodge

5.      Robert Greene

6.      Thomas Nashe

7.      Christopher Marlowe

Among them, Thomas Kyd is not admitted in any of the universities (Oxford and Cambridge). You may think why he is called as University Wit, because he wrote like them. This is the reason why he is called as so.

Wits from Oxford University:

Lily is peeled in front of a Lodge.

1. John Lyly
2. George Peele
3. Thomas Lodge

Sometimes Thomas Middleton is included here as he was an Oxford university ward.

Wits from Cambridge University:

1. Robert Greene
2. Thomas Nashe
3. Christopher Marlowe

So I hope that you have well understood this concept. In the next blog, we will learn the establishment of Elizabethan Theaters in correct Chronological order as it is need for NET/SET/JRF examinations.  Thank you.