Shakespeare's Predecessors in the English Drama is a book written by John Addington Symonds that explores the history of English drama before William Shakespeare's time. The book covers the period from the beginning of the English drama in the 14th century up until the Elizabethan era, which is considered the golden age of English drama. Symonds examines the works of Shakespeare's predecessors, including the mystery plays, morality plays, and interludes, and how they influenced Shakespeare's own plays. He also discusses the social and cultural context of the time and how it impacted the development of English drama. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of English drama and its significant contributors, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the history of theatre.1884. A series of essays by the English author Symonds who was in the forefront of the bourgeois radical men and women with socialist ideals destined to reform public opinion in the 1890s. Contents: Introductory; The Nation and the Drama; Miracle Plays; Moral Plays; The Rise of Comedy; The Rise of Tragedy; Triumph of the Romantic Drama; Theaters, Playwrights, Actors, and Playgoers; Masques at Court; English History; Domestic Tragedy; Tragedy of Blood; John Lyly; Greene, Peele, Nash and Lodge; and Marlowe. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.