Investigation of John Heywood's dramatic growth revealed in his interludes

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to trace John Heywood's growth in dramatic skill by investigating certain elements in his six extant interludes. Each interlude is analyzed individually in the accepted chronological sequence from the earliest to the latest, revealing Heywood's development in four general areas: (1) Means of involving the audience in the presentation; (2) Means by which Heywood employs both major and minor literary devices in the interludes, including development of character and setting; (3) Means of dealing with action on stage and properties; and, (4) Means by which "extra-dramatic" elements are utilized. The investigation relies upon the use of primary sources--the interludes are Witty and Witless, The Play of Love, The Play of Weather, The Four PP, The Pardoner Friar, and Johan Johan--with additional reference to secondary sources for pertinent research done by other authorities. While John Heywood's final dramatic results, composed of many interrelated elements, may seem somewhat minor and crude by modern standards, his improvement as viewed in the light of his period stands out as a truly remarkable accomplishment.