Ans: The term “University Wits” applies to a group of English men who flourished in the Elizabethan era under the influence of the Renaissance. This group consisted more or less of young university scholars who were highly cultivated literary men and who took up writing as their profession. They are called “University Wits” because they were associated with the universities of Cambridge and Oxford. “University Wits” contributed to the formation of English comedy that blossomed in Shakespeare’s hands. The main “University Wits” are Thomas Kyd, John Lilley, George Peel, Robert Greene, Thomas Lodge, Thomas Nash, and Christopher Marlowe.

John Lyly made a notable contribution to the formation of English comedy. He rose to fame with the publication of his prose romance “Euphues” and then went on to have a successful dramatic career. He was given the rank of an inventor in the dramatic history of England. He is said to have introduced prose into original comedy for the first time. He enriches the English drama, with his “Euphuistic” style, as the first master of a great prose style.

Robert Greene‘s dramatic art is evident in his masterful drawing of characters and dramatic situations. Indeed, he is considered a dignified predecessor of Shakespeare as a creator of character and situation. His contribution to the drama of his era is also noteworthy in terms of characterization.

The most important dramatic works of Thomas Nashe are “The Isle of Dongs” and “Summer’s Last Will”. He was the real successor of Greene. He wrote against the Puritans in general.

Thomas Lodge abandoned law for literature. His best-known romance is “Rosalynde”. It is said that Shakespeare followed him closely in his plot of “As You Like It”. He probably collaborated with Shakespeare in “Henry IV“.

Among Shakespeare’s predecessors, Thomas Kyd and Christopher Marlowe are the most conspicuous literary figures. Both of them wrote tragedies and enjoyed a popularity that could be surpassed only by their great successor Shakespeare.

Thomas Kyd is known as the author of “The Spanish Tragedy”. He is the first effective follower of the Senecan model of revenge theme. Just as Greene can be considered the founder of romantic comedy, so Thomas Kyd can be honored as the inventor of romantic tragedy. His contribution to English drama is intrinsic and historically significant. His influence can be found in later Elizabethan dramatists, including Shakespeare.

Among the pre-Shakespeareans, a singularly individual and talented dramatist was “Christopher Marlowe”, a university scholar who lived recklessly and met a tragically premature death in 1593 by a violent attack. He was the most interesting literary figure and the most impressive dramatist among the University Wits. His energetic play, The Great “Tamburlaine“, took the dramatic world by storm at the time. His dramatic talent is well-marked in his celebrated tragedies.

In light of the above discussion, we can say that the “University wits” contributed a lot to the development of English drama tremendously.