Allegory in John Lylys Gallathea
Geno, Charlotte Heyworth Renaissance Drama 16 February 2003 “Epitomizing Elizabeth: Allegory in John Lyly’s Gallathea” The Elizabethan Era in England marked a period of great achievement in the arts, especially drama. ... relied on such famous playwrights as William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and John Lyly to put on their plays for her guests. John Lyly was notorious for his comedies. ... In the allegorical comedy: Gallathea, John Lyly conveys that a virgin woman can recognize disguise, acknowledge deception, and prove herself to be a stronger ruler than any man. Gallathea contains several instances, where disguise is a central theme. Act One introduces the two fair young maidens: Gallathea and Phyllidia. ... Gallathea says “. ... As Gallathea and Phyllidia converse, the two virgins maidens deceive one another through their words and by disguising their true identities. ... Gallathea says to Phyllidia “I would not wish to be a woman, unless it were because thou art a man” (III. ... Gallathea reveals this aside to the audience when she says “Ay me, he is as I am, for his speeches as mine are” (III. ... This is an allegory referring to Queen Elizabeth I’s ability to be a sharp and cunning ruler. ... John Lyly uses male characters as well in Gallathea to further his statement on pretense and the sly nature of virgin women. ... This plan is the cause of Gallathea and Phyllida’s disguises as men. ... In Gallathea, John Lyly honors Elizabeth I. ... Yet, the play ends with the sex-change and marriage of Gallathea and Phyllida. ... Works Cited Lyly, John. “Gallathea.