Two-volume collection providing the first opportunity to consider Bale's surviving dramatic work as a whole in the original language. His plays explore the theological and political implications of the English Reformation and offers a Protestant counterblast to the English mystery cycles.

Two-volume collection providing the first opportunity to consider Bale's surviving dramatic work as a whole in the original language. His plays explore the theological and political implications of the English Reformation and offers a Protestant counterblast to the English mystery cycles.

A first-rate edition that substantially advances the cause of scholarship.' COMPARATIVE DRAMAFirst complete and fully annotated collection of John Heywood's plays in the original language. It makes possible a reevaluation ofhis remarkable achievement as actor-playwright and an appreciation of his lively contribution to the English language. In all their experimental variety the comedies are seen to have the stamp of an idiosyncratic, theatrical intelligence coupled with a surprising seriousness and Heywood emerges as a resourceful apologist for traditional Catholic doctrine in a time of...

This volume provides a detailed overview of the Towneley cycle of plays, which were written c. 1500. The plays begin with the fall of Lucifer and end with the Last Judgement. Peter Happe examines the cycle's textual and manuscript history and discusses issues of language and style, the structure of the cycle, and its possible sources and analogues. He also addresses the historical and religious context of the cycle and its performance history."

An in-depth survey of drama in English up to 1590 which is based upon close readings of selected plays, including Thomas Kyd's "The Spanish Tragedy". The text covers many types of drama such as mystery cycles and the interludes, as well as comedy and tragedy.

English Drama before Shakespeare surveys the range of dramatic activity in English up to 1590. The book challenges the traditional divisions between Medieval and Renaissance literature by showing that there was much continuity throughout this period, in spite of many innovations. The range of dramatic activity includes well-known features such as mystery cycles and the interludes, as well as comedy and tragedy. Para-dramatic activity such as the liturgical drama, royal entries and localised or parish drama is also covered. Many of the plays considered are anonymous, but a coherent,...