Lectures on Dramatic Art and Literature

by August Wilhelm von Schlegel

LECTURE XXVII.

Two Periods of the English Theatre: the first the most important—The
first Conformation of the Stage, and its Advantages—State of the
Histrionic Art in Shakspeare's Time—Antiquities of Dramatic Literature—
Lilly, Marlow, Heywood—Ben Jonson; Criticism of his Works—Masques—
Beaumont and Fletcher—General Characterization of these Poets, and
Remarks on some of their Pieces—Massinger and other Contemporaries of
Charles I.