William Gager facts for kids
William Gager (1555–1622) was an English lawyer and writer. He is best known today for the plays he wrote in Latin. These plays were often performed at the university.
Gager was born in 1555. His parents were Gilbert and Thomasina Cordell Gager. He went to Westminster School and later studied at Christ Church, Oxford.
Contents
Gager's Plays and Writings
William Gager wrote many plays that were performed at the University of Oxford. This happened between 1582 and 1592. He was seen as one of the most important playwrights of his time.
Most of Gager's plays were serious stories called Latin tragedies. These plays were written in the Latin language. One of his comedies, Rivales (from 1582), has been lost over time.
Famous Latin Tragedies
Some of Gager's well-known tragedies include:
- Oedipus (1582)
- Meleager (1582)
- Dido (1583)
- Ulysses Redux (1592)
Gager often followed the style of an ancient Roman writer named Seneca. In 1592, Gager even adapted Seneca's play Hippolytus, adding new parts to it.
Other Writings
Besides plays, Gager also wrote poetry in Latin. This type of writing is called Neo-Latin poetry.
Gager's Place in History
William Gager was a respected writer during his lifetime. He is even mentioned alongside the famous playwright William Shakespeare.
In a book called Palladis Tamia (or Wits Treasury) by Francis Meres, Gager is listed among the best English writers. Meres wrote about how English poets compared to Greek, Latin, and Italian poets.
Meres's Mention
Francis Meres wrote: "The best Poets for Comedy among us bee, Edward Earle of Oxforde, Doctor Gager of Oxforde, Maister Rowley... Maister Edwardes... John Lilly, Lodge, Gascoyne, Greene, Shakespeare, Thomas Nash, Thomas Heywood, Anthony Mundye... Chapman, Porter, Wilson, Hathway, and Henry Chettle."
This shows that William Gager was considered a significant writer of his era, placed among many other well-known names.
