A definitive scholarly edition that brings Lyly’s drama into clear view with full editorial support.
This volume collects The Complete Works of John Lyly, now for the first time gathered from the earliest quartos and presented with life, bibliography, essays, notes, and index. It combines the plays with critical context to illuminate Lyly’s craft and his era.
The edition provides rigorous editorial apparatus, helping readers understand textual variants, historical background, and the relation between Lyly’s work and the broader late‑Elizabethan and early‑Jacobean theater. It is designed for students, researchers, and theater lovers who want a reliable, in‑depth reference to Lyly’s plays and related writings.
- A carefully annotated text drawn from the earliest quartos, with a comprehensive life and bibliography.
- Scholarly essays that frame Lyly’s drama, its structure, themes, and comic elements.
- Extensive notes and an index to aid quick navigation through the volume’s material.
- Editorial guidance on variant readings, provenance, and the relationship among Lyly’s works.
Ideal for readers of Elizabethan drama, students, and anyone seeking a thorough, shelf‑ready resource on Lyly’s plays and their historical context.