Thomas Underdown facts for kids
Thomas Underdown, sometimes spelled Underdowne, was an important translator who lived in the 1500s. We know he was active between 1566 and 1577.
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Who Was Thomas Underdown?
Thomas Underdown was a person who translated books from other languages into English. He helped bring famous stories to English readers.
His Main Translations
Underdown is best known for two major translations:
- The Æthiopian History by Heliodorus. He translated this in 1569.
- The Ibis by Ovid. He translated this in 1577.
The Æthiopian History was a very popular adventure story. Some people even call it an early example of an adventure novel.
Why Literature Mattered to Underdown
Underdown believed that books and stories could teach people good lessons. He thought the Æthiopian History was a great action story because it showed how people faced consequences for their bad actions.
How His Work Influenced Others
Underdown's translation of the Æthiopian History was very important. It had a big impact on plays and stories written during the Elizabethan era in England.
- The first edition of his translation came out in 1569. It was dedicated to Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford.
- In 1587, a writer named Stephen Gosson said that London theaters often used ideas from Underdown's book for their plays.
- One famous book influenced by Underdown's work was Pandosto (1588) by Robert Greene. This book later became a main source for Shakespeare's play, Winter's Tale.
- Another important work influenced by Underdown was Phillip Sidney's Arcadia (1581–86). Sidney was so inspired that one commentator called him the "Heliodore d'Angleterre," meaning the "Heliodorus of England."
- Experts like Moses Hadas have noted that Sidney's Arcadia followed Heliodorus's style in many ways. It also became a model for other writers who came after Sidney.
While Underdown's influence on Shakespeare is less direct, you can find parts of his translation in some of Shakespeare's plays, especially Cymbeline.
