Presented before Queen Elizabeth I on Candlemas Day (February 2nd) 1588, Endymion (published 1591) has much in common with Lyly's three earlier comedies, Campaspe, Sapho and Phao and Gallathea, also written for performance at court. As in the previous plays, the concern of the central action is an unattainable love, which initiates the exploration of a number of interrelated debate motifs (e.g. the conflicting claims of love and friendship / chastity and love). The play was designed, like its predecessors, for performance by a company of boys (in this instance the Children of St. Paul's), and exploits the youths' training as choristers and slightness of build through the inclusion of songs and a preponderance of female and juvenile roles. Like the earlier comedies, the play invites interpretation in terms of the politics of the Elizabethan...
1018 words
Citation: Scragg, Leah. "Endymion". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 20 September 2002 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=5365, accessed 12 February 2026.]
