Robert Greene (1560-92)

Robert Greene was believed to have been born in 1558 in Norwich and in 1592 in London. He is known mostly for his prose writings and blank-verse romantic comedy. He was also one of the first professional writers and among the earliest English autobiographers. Amongst Shakespeare’s predecessors, he is considered the most prominant.

Greene obtained degrees at Oxford and Cambridge and moved to London, it is believed to live a somewhat shady life. He wrote more than 35 works between 1580 and 1592. At first Greene wrote works that would attract the public, and followed current literary fashion.

In the late 1580s Greene composed prose pastorals in the manner of Sir Philip Sidney’s Arcadia, as well as attractive lyric poetry that enhanced his reputation. One of his pastorals is Pandosto (1588), the direct source of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale.

About 1590 Greene began to compose serious didactic works, notably ‘Never Too Late’ in 1590, drawing on prodigal son stories. He also wrote dramas for theatre, including his first successful romantic comedy. Some of his works draw on traditional stories and characters, like Oberon and Bohan, anticipating some of Shakespeare’s work.

In his last year Greene wrote exposés of the Elizabethan underworld, such as ‘A Notable Discovery of Coosnage’.