William Dunn Macray
A witty journey through the heart of Elizabethan academia, The Pilgrimage To Parnassus With The Two Parts Of The Return From Parnassus captures the restless ambition and sharp humour of students and scholars at the turn of the seventeenth century. Here, university life is both lampooned and celebrated, as aspiring poets and learned jesters navigate the trials of Cambridge, their literary pilgrimage echoing the influences of Ben Jonson and Christopher Marlowe. Every page brims with satire and academia, revealing the ambitions, follies, and aspirations of late 16th-century England’s brightest minds.This academic drama anthology stands as a rare testament to the vibrancy of Elizabethan college theatre, blending the cleverness of renaissance theatrical works with timeless themes of ambition, disillusionment, and the search for meaning. Performed originally at St. John’s College, Cambridge, these comedies offer a window into historical Cambridge performances, where wit and wordplay reigned supreme. The plays’ enduring appeal lies in their playful yet pointed depiction of university life humour, making them as relevant to today’s readers as they were to their first audiences.Republished by Alpha Editions in a careful modern edition, this volume preserves the spirit of the original while making it effortless to enjoy today - a heritage title prepared for readers and collectors alike. For lovers of classic literature and those intrigued by literary pilgrimage themes, this collection is more than a glimpse into the past: it is a celebration of the enduring power of satire, scholarship, and the stage.
